Ole Miss catcher Calvin Harris drafted by White Sox in the 3rd round of the 2023 MLB Draft
SEATTLE – Ole Miss catcher Calvin Harris has been drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago White Sox with the 116th overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. The selection carries with it a slot value of $574,600. (Click here to see the complete list of slot values.)
With the 116th pick, the @WhiteSox select @OleMissBSB catcher Calvin Harris, No. 133 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.
Watch live: https://t.co/lv70Tuy5Ia pic.twitter.com/muT0hZf4KV
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 10, 2023
Harris joins Jacob Gonzalez who was drafted by Chicago in the first round Sunday. The 2022 team captain Tim Elko is also in the White Sox organization.
Harris’ role increased with each season throughout his time with the Rebels, as he appeared in 41 games (including 17 starts) as a freshman, 43 games (including 29 starts) as a sophomore, and started all 54 games in 2023.
A true scholar, the Peosta, Iowa native was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022, CSC Academic All-District for 2022-23 and a CSC Academic All-American as well for 2022-23.
During Harris’ sophomore season, he led the Rebels in batting average (.336) and on-base percentage (.417). He would further cement his arrival on the scene on the biggest stage in college baseball.
Calvin Harris (not the DJ) launches a 2 run shot to extend the Ole Miss lead over Arkansas 8-3!
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 21, 2022
During the College World Series run, Harris hit .400 (8 for 20) with two home runs, six RBIs and five runs scored. He was named to the 2022 College World Series All-Tournament Team and will forever be an Ole Miss national champion.
Following the departure of former catcher Hayden Dunhurst, Harris was able to slide back to his natural position of catcher as the Rebels’ regular, every-day backstop.
He excelled in his junior campaign and was named a Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Semifinalist, a Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist, Second Team All-SEC and Second Team ABCA All-South Region.
Pacing Ole Miss with 52 runs scored, perhaps his most memorable performance was game three at Missouri last season where he went 4-for-6 with four home runs and 10 RBIs.
Holy hell, Calvin Harris has hit not 2, not 3, but 4 — F O U R homers today in the insane Ole Miss/Missouri game.
📹: @OleMissBSB pic.twitter.com/ewplWpJvs5
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) May 6, 2023
In that game against Mizzou, Harris tied the single-game Rebel record for RBIs and became the first SEC player ever to hit four home runs in a conference game. He was named SEC Co-Player of the Week, the Dick Howser Trophy National Hitter of the Week and was awarded the Golden Spikes Performance of the Week Award.
While catcher usually is considered a defensive position in the big leagues, teams will not be able to look past Harris in a line-up. We wish Calvin all the best as he begins his professional baseball career.
Hotty Toddy!
Chris Muller
Chris is our Director of Baseball Content and Senior Baseball Writer. Muller is a 1995 Graduate of Ole Miss. He is a collegiate recreational sports professional currently residing in Arlington Texas with his wife of 25 years, Amber, and German Shorthaired Pointer, Sophie. Chris is an avid Ole Miss Baseball and Football fan. His hobbies include watching college football and baseball and playing poker with his friends.
