Enlow wins first game, flourishing in rookie league

There are many different ways for 18-year-olds to spend their summers.

Most will prepare themselves for their freshman year of college, many will work long hours to pay for their upcoming tuition, and of course, there are the fun things like going to the beach, hanging out poolside, shopping and spending time with friends.

Former St. Amant Gator Blayne Enlow’s summer has been just a little bit different.

Enlow’s summer began with him getting drafted in the third round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft.

Just two weeks later, he was signing a fat professional contract worth a reported $2 million.

Now, he’s doing what he loves: playing baseball—professional baseball, that is.

Enlow has been playing in the Twins’ Minor League Baseball rookie league over the summer. He is a part of the Gulf Coast League Twins that competes in Fort Myers, Fla., at the Lee County Sports Complex.

So far, Enlow has made three solid appearances that culminated in a very special accomplishment last week.

In a 9-4 victory over the Rays, Enlow earned his first professional victory as he pitched four and a third innings, only giving up four hits and one run. He struck out four batters and yielded no walks.

Enlow made his professional debut on July 19, against the Rays. It was also his first professional start.

He pitched two complete innings and gave up no hits, one walk and one run. Enlow struck out three batters in the 4-1 win.

His second appearance came a week later against the Orioles.

Though the Twins were thumped, 12-1, Enlow looked good. He went three and two-thirds innings and only gave up one hit and one run, while striking out three.

Things began to pick up steam for Enlow during his junior year at St. Amant. Already having committed to LSU, he helped lead the Gators to the state quarterfinals and earned District 5-5A MVP and Parish Pitcher of the Year honors along the way.

During the summer, Enlow made the 20-man 18u Team USA squad and helped lead them to a gold medal victory in the COPABE Pan American Games in Monterrey, Mexico.

In November, he signed with LSU, but that didn’t stop hordes of MLB scouts from coming to his games throughout his senior season with St. Amant.

In leading the Gators to the second round of the playoffs, Enlow went 5-3 with a 1.00 ERA and 101 strikeouts.

For the second straight year, he was named District 5-5A MVP and Parish Pitcher of the Year. He also received All-State honors for a second consecutive season.

To start the summer, he was drafted 76th overall by the Twins. With his selection being so high, the opportunity was just too good for Enlow to pass.

He decided to leave his commitment to LSU on the table and sign with the Twins. The pick was initially worth $755,000, but after bonuses were added, his contract reportedly reached $2 million.

Enlow has lived up to that rich contract so far this summer.

In his three Gulf Coast League appearances for the Twins, he is 1-0 with a terrific 1.80 ERA. He has 10 strikeouts.