Drew Avans Bio
Drew Avans (born June 13, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder currently in the Colorado Rockies organization. He has appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers. Avans was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University and spent six seasons developing in their minor league system before earning his first major league call-up in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Drew Avans was born on June 13, 1996, in the United States. He attended and played college baseball at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he developed into a notable collegiate player prior to entering the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Avans entered the 2018 MLB draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 33rd round with the 1,004th overall pick. His selection marked the beginning of his professional career, as he reported to extended spring training before being assigned to the Dodgers organization to begin his development as a professional outfielder.
Drew Avans Career
Minor League Development (2018–2024)
Avans began his professional career in 2018 with the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers before earning promotions to the rookie-level Ogden Raptors and Single-A Great Lakes Loons. He combined to hit .284 across 60 games in his debut professional season, demonstrating immediate potential as a contact hitter with the ability to make consistent hard contact.
In 2019, Avans continued his ascent through the Dodgers system, playing for Great Lakes, the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He maintained his offensive production, hitting .280 in 112 total appearances while showing versatility across multiple outfield positions. The 2020 season was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the minor league season was canceled entirely.
Avans returned to action in 2021 with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he emerged as a consistent performer at the highest minor league level. He hit .275 with five home runs, 32 RBI, and 19 stolen bases over 90 games. His 2022 campaign saw him bat .282 in 119 games, establishing himself as a reliable top-of-the-order threat. In 2023, Avans appeared in 129 games with 11 home runs and 58 RBI while maintaining a .254 batting average.
The 2024 season proved to be a career-defining year in the minors. Avans played 133 games for Oklahoma City, posting a .272 batting average with eight home runs, 52 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. Most notably, he broke the Oklahoma City Bricktown era career hits record, cementing his legacy with the Dodgers organization. Following the season, he elected free agency on November 4, 2024.
Major League Debut with Oakland Athletics (2025)
On November 20, 2024, Avans signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. He reported to spring training competing for an opportunity with the major league club. His strong performance in camp and throughout the early minor league season earned him a promotion.
On May 27, 2025, Avans was selected to the Athletics 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. He made his MLB debut that same night as a defensive replacement in right field in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros. In his first plate appearance, he recorded his first major league hit, a single against Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley. Avans appeared in seven games with Oakland, going 2-for-15 at the plate. He was designated for assignment by the team on June 6.
Milwaukee Brewers (2025)
On June 8, 2025, Avans was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers, providing him with another opportunity at the major league level. He made his Brewers debut on June 15, going 0-for-2 at the plate while recording his first major league sacrifice fly RBI. Avans was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on July 13. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on July 17, where he finished the 2025 season. Following the campaign, he elected free agency on November 6.
Colorado Rockies (2025–Present)
On November 14, 2025, Avans signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, joining a new organization for the 2026 season. He will report to spring training with an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Rockies major league roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
Avans has developed a reputation as a contact-oriented hitter with above-average speed. Throughout his minor league career, he demonstrated the ability to hit for average while also showcasing pop and basestealing ability. His career-high 35 stolen bases in 2024 illustrate his speed on the bases, and his career hits record in Oklahoma City reflects his consistent ability to put the ball in play and find gaps. He has shown versatility in the outfield, playing all three positions throughout his professional career.
Notable Achievements and Records
The most significant milestone in Avans’s career came in 2024 when he broke the Oklahoma City Bricktown era career hits record during his fourth consecutive season with the Triple-A affiliate. This accomplishment highlighted his sustained excellence at the highest minor league level. His MLB debut on May 27, 2025, represented the culmination of seven years of development in the minor leagues after being drafted in 2018.
Drew Avans Career Performance Summary
Across his minor league career spanning 2018 to 2024, Avans established himself as a consistent performer at the Triple-A level with Oklahoma City. He appeared in over 500 minor league games, combining power, speed, and contact ability. His brief MLB appearances in 2025 with Oakland and Milwaukee provided him with major league experience, though his sample size remains small with a .118 batting average through his early MLB tenure.
Minor League Highlights
Avans’s minor league career was highlighted by his record-breaking 2024 season in Oklahoma City, where he accumulated 133 games played, eight home runs, 52 RBI, and 35 stolen bases while hitting .272. His career body of work includes over 600 games in the minors with a batting average consistently near .270. He broke the Oklahoma City career hits record during his tenure, demonstrating his sustained productivity at the Triple-A level across multiple seasons.
Major League Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Avans appeared in 13 combined games between Oakland and Milwaukee, recording two hits in 23 at-bats for a .118 batting average. He drove in one run via sacrifice fly and recorded his first major league hit as a member of the Athletics.
| Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor League (Career) | 600+ | .270+ | Multiple Seasons | Multiple Seasons |
| MLB (2025) | 13 | .118 | 0 | 1 |
Drew Avans Personal Life
Avans maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his official X account. He remains focused on his professional baseball career as he continues his journey in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Avans, as he finally reached the major leagues after seven years in the minor leagues. His season began with Oklahoma City before his May promotion to Oakland. His MLB debut on May 27 against Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley was a memorable moment, as he recorded his first major league hit in his first plate appearance. Following his designation by the Athletics, he joined the Brewers organization and recorded his first major league RBI via sacrifice fly in his debut with Milwaukee. Though his MLB sample size was limited, the season fulfilled his long-awaited goal of establishing himself at the highest level of professional baseball.