“After a Historic Season, Four Duke Blue Devils Earn Their Shot at the Big Leagues with MLB Draft Selections”

The 2025 MLB Draft served as a crowning moment for Duke baseball, capping off a season that was already defined by excellence, resilience, and undeniable momentum. Four standout Blue Devils—left-handers James Tallon, Owen Proksch, Andrew Healy, and shortstop Wallace Clark—heard their names called on baseball’s biggest amateur stage, a testament to the program’s growth and the remarkable individual journeys each player has taken. For Duke, long known more for basketball dominance than baseball prowess, this surge into Major League recognition represents something deeper: a culture shift. And for the players, it is a dream realized through sweat, strategy, and standout seasons.

James Tallon, the 6-foot-5 southpaw with a blistering fastball and a demeanor as cool as the Durham night, became the headliner of Duke’s MLB class. Over the course of the 2025 season, Tallon transformed from a highly-touted prospect into a game-changing ace. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was among the best in the nation, and his ability to dominate top-tier lineups made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. Scouts loved his poise, his mechanics, and his mental makeup, and when the call came during the second round of the draft, it surprised no one. For Tallon, the moment was the culmination of years of hard work under head coach Chris Pollard and pitching coach Dusty Blake, who helped refine his delivery and develop his off-speed pitches into legitimate weapons.

Then there’s Owen Proksch, another southpaw with a different style but the same effectiveness. Proksch, who had battled through early-career injuries, put together a masterful junior campaign, posting a sub-3.00 ERA while serving as a model of consistency and grit. He thrived in big moments, often being the one Duke turned to when it needed to shut down momentum or survive a tense inning. His curveball was a thing of beauty, and his ability to change speeds kept hitters guessing all season. He was taken in the fourth round, a testament to how far he’s come—from the training room to the national spotlight. His story is one of perseverance, a reminder that sometimes the best players aren’t the ones who dominate from the beginning but those who keep going when it gets hard.

Andrew Healy rounded out the trio of left-handed arms headed to the professional ranks. Healy, who served as both a starter and long reliever for Duke this season, offered unmatched versatility. He was the quiet force in the bullpen, often overlooked in the regular season, but when the pressure turned up in postseason play, Healy shined. He earned a reputation as a gamer, someone who thrived in high-stress situations and never let the moment get too big. His performance in the ACC tournament, particularly his multi-inning save in the semifinals, put him on the radar of several MLB teams. Drafted in the sixth round, Healy’s journey from a utility pitcher to a pro-bound talent is another feather in Duke’s developmental cap. He may not have had the buzz of Tallon or the late-inning fire of Proksch, but in the trenches of the season, Healy was invaluable.

Perhaps the most emotionally resonant pick of all was Wallace Clark, the hard-nosed shortstop whose leadership and glove anchored Duke’s infield. Clark, known for his high baseball IQ and fierce competitive edge, was the heart and soul of this Blue Devils team. Offensively, he delivered clutch hits and kept the lineup turning over, but his real impact came on defense, where his range, instincts, and arm strength made him one of the most reliable shortstops in college baseball. He was a steady presence for Duke in every possible way—on the field, in the dugout, and during the countless hours of practice and preparation. His selection in the seventh round was a moment of validation for a player who, despite being overshadowed by flashier prospects, proved time and again that he belonged. MLB teams took notice, and one franchise decided Clark was exactly the kind of competitor they wanted in their clubhouse.

This quartet’s collective success is no accident. It’s the result of a program that has quietly built itself into an MLB pipeline. Under head coach Chris Pollard, Duke baseball has embraced a culture of development and professionalism. Facilities have improved, recruiting has ramped up, and the program has shed its underdog label in favor of becoming a perennial threat in the ACC and beyond. What makes the 2025 draft class so unique is that it reflects the balance Duke has found—pitching depth, defensive excellence, and leadership. It’s rare for a program to send four players to the MLB in one draft cycle, and even rarer for them to come from a mix of roles like this.

For these four Blue Devils, their time in Durham will be remembered not just for what they did individually, but for what they built together. Their chemistry was real, their work ethic unmatched, and their commitment to the team unwavering. They were leaders, role models, and warriors in blue and white. They embraced the pressure, leaned into the expectations, and lifted Duke to one of its most successful seasons in program history. Their postseason run may have ended shy of a College World Series berth, but their legacy will be measured in the banners raised, the fans inspired, and the standard they helped set for those who follow.

Beyond the diamond, these players left a mark on the university community. They were part of charity initiatives, academic standouts, and consistent presences in local Durham baseball camps and clinics. They understood what it meant to be a student-athlete at a place like Duke—not just competing at the highest level, but doing so with humility and purpose. The MLB Draft was the payoff, but the journey was paved with much more than just on-field stats.

As they move on to their respective professional organizations, the road only gets harder. They’ll face seasoned minor-leaguers, bus rides that stretch into the night, and the grind of playing every day without the comfort of campus life. But they’re ready. Duke didn’t just prepare them for this moment—it shaped them. The ACC battles, the early morning lifts, the late-night bullpen sessions, the team meetings, the losses that stung and the wins that bonded—it was all part of a larger process.

In interviews following their selections, each of the four players spoke not only about their excitement for the next step but about their gratitude for Duke. Tallon credited the coaching staff for believing in his potential even when his control issues plagued him early on. Proksch said the medical and support staff gave him the tools to overcome injuries that once threatened to derail his career. Healy pointed to the depth of the roster and how internal competition made him sharper every single outing. And Clark—always the captain, always the motivator—said what made Duke special wasn’t just the wins or the gear or the spotlight, but the people. His teammates. His coaches. The student section behind home plate. The kids he met during community events. The professors who stayed after class to talk baseball. The campus that cheered for him like he was family.

What happens next for these four Duke stars is anyone’s guess. Some may rise quickly through the minor league ranks, others might take a few years to find their place. There will be injuries, slumps, and setbacks. But there will also be moments of brilliance—first strikeouts, first home runs, first call-ups. Their stories are still being written, but this chapter—the one where they went from Durham to the draft—is one that will live on in Duke baseball lore.

For now, the focus shifts to what’s ahead. Summer leagues, minor league assignments, new teammates, and the challenge of staying healthy and effective over a long professional season. But no matter where their careers go, these four players have already achieved something remarkable. They’ve proven that Duke isn’t just a basketball school or an academic powerhouse. It’s a baseball school, too—a place where big league dreams are born, developed, and, increasingly, realized.

The 2025 MLB Draft will forever be remembered as a turning point for Duke baseball, not just because of the talent that was recognized, but because of what it signaled: that the Blue Devils are here to stay on the national stage. James Tallon, Owen Proksch, Andrew Healy, and Wallace Clark didn’t just get drafted. They opened the door wider for the next generation. And as they begin their pro journeys, they carry with them the pride, the promise, and the power of Duke baseball.