BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Just over three years since he was chosen in the 13th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, former Campbell center fielder Cedric Mullins received his Big League call-up to the Baltimore Orioles on August 10.
The Snellville, Ga., native becomes the 10th Fighting Camel to reach the MLB and is the first position player to receive the call in program history. The most recent former Camels to make MLB rosters were pitchers Matt Marksberry (2015, Atlanta Braves) and Jake Smith (2016, San Diego Padres).
"I am so proud of Cedric and what he has been able to accomplish. The love and respect I have for him is second to none," head coach Justin Haire said. "This is a young man who has never had anything handed to him, and for him to work his way through junior college, then here at Campbell, and all the way to the big leagues is impressive at the highest level. He is the epitome of professional, and we are so proud that he is part of our Campbell Baseball family."
After one year at Campbell, Mullins was selected as the 403rd pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, becoming the highest Camel picked since the Milwaukee Brewers took Nic Carter in the fourth round in 2002.
A transfer from Louisburg College, Mullins led the 2015 Fighting Camels with a .340 clip and 59 runs scored. He also tacked on 34 extra base hits, sprinkling in 23 doubles, seven triples and four home runs. Mullins received Second Team Atlantic All-Region honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association and was selected Second Team All-Big South.
Mullins' Road to the Show
Mullins made a strong case for his promotion at Triple-A Norfolk, hitting safely in 15 straight games from June 27 to July 15, which still stands as the longest hitting streak by a Tides player this year. Over that span, Mullins batted .379 (25-for-66) with six doubles and a pair of triples and home runs.
During his 15-game hitting streak, Mullins made a stop in nearby Durham and discussed his progression up the Orioles system with the Campbell athletics staff. Mullins has also already placed his name on the national scale, earning the No. 4 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 on July 25 after making a diving catch while running in.
Mullins made the jump to Triple-A Norfolk after 49 games at Class-AA Bowie, producing 63 hits with five triples and six home runs. In 108 games between Bowie and Norfolk this season, Mullins hit .288 with 11 home runs, 29 doubles, eight triples, 46 RBI, 76 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. His 76 runs sit tied for 15th among Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players and his 127 hits rank tied for 12th.
Mullins spent the entire 2017 season with the Baysox after a full year at Class-A Delmarva for his 2016 campaign. Over 124 games with Delmarva, Mullins batted .273, leading the Shorebirds in hits (141), doubles (37), triples (10), home runs (14), runs (79) and stolen bases (30).
Following the 2015 Draft, Mullins began his minor league career with the Class-A Short Season Aberdeen IronBirds and in 68 games produced team-highs in hits (73), runs (34), triples (5), RBI (32) and stolen bases (17).
Since 2015, MLB clubs have drafted 14 Campbell players and 17 total players have signed professional contracts. Following Mullins' promotion, four former Camels remain on MiLB rosters: Ryan Thompson (Triple-A, Astros), Heath Bowers (Class A, Athletics), Allan Winans (Rookie, Mets) and Wes Noble (Rookie, Tigers).
Campbell baseball is coming off its third appearance in the NCAA Tournament as the Camels swept the Big South regular season and tournament titles for the first time in program history. The Camels had eight all-conference selections, the most since 2013, and racked up a program-record 21 wins in conference play.
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