Central College Athletics

Garrett Saunders - Atlanta Braves

Saunders signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Braves after his senior season in June of 2019. He played with the Danville (Va.) Braves in the Appalachian League (Rookie) in his first season. He had a .300 batting average over 26 games as a utility infielder. After the minor league baseball season was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 viral outbreak, Saunders returned to the field with the Rome (Ga.) Braves of the High-A East League in 2021. He appeared in 35 games, notching 17 hits.

At Central, Saunders hit .341 in 161 career games at shortstop (2016-19). He drove in 101 runs and scored 134 runs. He was twice named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region squad, making the second team in 2018 and the third team in 2019. He was picked for the all-conference second team twice. He was selected as the Iowa Conference male athlete of the week and position player of the week on March 19, 2017 and March 12, 2018.

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Wade Van Vark - Philadelphia Phillies

Wade was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 31st Round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur Draft. An outfielder, Van Vark played the 1999 season with the GCL Phillies of the Golf Coast League (Rookie). He hit .208 over 34 games.

At Central, Van Vark hit .293 in 127 career games (1996-99). He had 13 home runs, including five as a freshman in 1996. He drove in 72 runs and stole 36 bases. Also a pitcher in college, Van Vark won 17 games and maintained a 3.91 ERA over four years. Van Vark was the Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player in 1999 as well as a first-team all-conference selection as a pitcher. In 1998, he was first team all-conference as an outfielder and in 1997 he was first also first team all-conference as a pitcher.

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Rich Schulte - Houston Astros

Rich was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 15th Round of the 1991 MLB June Amateur Draft. Schulte appeared as an outfielder in 72 games with the Auburn (N.Y.) Astros of the New York-Penn league (short season Class A), hitting .278 with 27 RBI. In 1992, he moved up to the Burlington (Iowa) Astros of the Midwest League (Class A) where he hit .247 in 112 games. He split the 1993 season between the Osceola (Fla.) Astros of the Florida State league (Class A Advanced) and the Quad Cities (Iowa) River Bandits of the Midwest League (Class A). Over his three-year career in the minor leagues, Schulte hit .251 with 75 RBI and eight home runs.

At Central, Schulte started 81 games in three seasons (1989-91) in the outfield and as a pitcher. He only played three seasons of baseball for the Dutch after being drafted and signing with the Astros following his junior season. A career .373 hitter, Schulte had 17 home runs and 20 doubles while notching 94 overall hits. He stole 20 bases and drove in 54 runs. As a pitcher, he won 11 games and maintained a 3.86 ERA. He struck out 76 batters while walking 55. He was a two-time first team all-conference honoree. He was picked as an outfielder in 1990 and a utility player in 1989.

 

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Byron Loomans - Chicago Cubs

Byron was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th Round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft. A utility infielder with the Cubs organization for three seasons, Loomans played the 1973 season with the GCL Cubs in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie) in Bradenton, Florida. He moved up to the Key West (Florida) Conchs of the Florida State League (Class A) for the 1974 season and stayed with the team as it became the Key West Cubs in 1975. He had 94 career hits over his three seasons, driving in 44 runs and bashing seven home runs.

At Central, Loomans was a two-year letterwinner. The Waupan, Wisconsin native split his time between right field and third base during his four years (1970-73) playing for the Dutch. As a junior, Loomans earned a .351 batting average during the team's 15-game season. He was named to the 1973 All-Iowa Conference baseball squad. The Dutch finished runner-up in the Iowa Conference in three of his four years.
 
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