Upcoming Event: Baseball versus Cal State Fullerton on November 8, 2025 at 11 a.m.
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11 a.m.
vs Cal State Fullerton
Grand Canyon University Athletics
4 Lopes selected in MLB Draft
7/14/2025 6:14:00 PM | Baseball
Richardson, Barreras, Lyon and Wakefield extend GCU's draft streak to 12 years
Grand Canyon had four players selected in the 2025 MLB Draft, extending the program's streak of draft selections to 12 consecutive years. It was GCU's busiest draft since 2022.
The Lopes that were picked on Monday included:
The 2025 MLB Draft came on the eve of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, where the program's first selection, Jacob Wilson, will start at shortstop for the American League.
To view GCU's extensive history in professional baseball, click here.
Richardson was GCU's highest pick of the 2025 MLB Draft, selected by the Athletics. Despite missing the 2025 season due to injury, his 2024 performance cemented his place as one of GCU's top arms. He was the third-highest draft selection of a GCU left-handed pitcher, following only Bart Haley (147th overall in 1986) and Zach Thornton (159th overall in 2023).
"Congratulations to Grant," Lopes head coach Gregg Wallis said. "He's accomplished a lot in his three-year career at GCU including a huge NCAA regional performance and graduating early. I look forward to seeing the big lefty pitch for the Athletics soon."
In 2024, Richardson transitioned from the bullpen into a weekend starter, finishing with a 5-1 record and a 3.73 ERA. He struck out 70 batters in 50 2/3 innings, setting a GCU record with 12.43 strikeouts per nine innings. He earned the win in GCU's first Division I NCAA Tournament victory, throwing six strong innings against No. 13 Arizona. WAC opponents hit just .194 against him, and he was named WAC Pitcher of the Week after a 10-strikeout, one-hit outing at Seattle U.
"I was pumped when I got the call, kind of a surreal feeling," Richardson said. "Obviously my goal is to play in the MLB one day and this was the next step to that goal. The last year has been a little different coming back from Tommy John surgery, but I've enjoyed the rehab process and excited to get back into game action and really feel the hard work to finally pay off. Wouldn't be in this spot without my parents who have supported me since Day 1 and the coaches who have believed in me and help me develop into the player and person I am today."
As a freshman in 2023, he made 14 appearances and earned his first win in the WAC Tournament. A product of Horizon High School, Richardson was a first-team all-region selection who now moves on to the professional ranks with one of the most dominant strikeout resumes in GCU history.
Richardson was GCU's firs player selected by the Athletics since Jacob Wilson went sixth overall in 2023 and becomes the franchise's seventh GCU player selected.
Barreras had a stellar three-year career at GCU, where he developed into one of the most reliable and disciplined shortstops in the country. He was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List which featured the nation's top 100 shortstops.
"I was super excited to hear my name get called," Barreras said. "I was really really emotional because of everything I had to do to get this opportunity. This was not easy at all to accomplish and to do it while being from a small town where sometimes dreams feel tough to accomplish."
As a junior in 2025, Barreras earned All-WAC Second Team and All-WAC Defensive Team honors despite missing over a month due to injury. He led GCU with a .358 batting average and .462 on-base percentage, both top-10 marks in the WAC. Known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, he struck out just seven times in 159 at-bats—the third-lowest rate in GCU's Division I era. He posted 18 multi-hit games, including a 13-game hitting streak, and delivered a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning at Stanford on May 9.
"Emilio is so deserving of this opportunity, and I'm thankful the Marlins recognized his talent and character," Wallis said. "Emilio was very fun to coach. He is a natural leader with outstanding work ethic. I anticipate the Marlins organization will love him as much as we do at GCU."
In 2024, Barreras started 56 games and was again named to the All-WAC Defensive Team. He hit .316 overall and .357 in conference play, finishing as the WAC's toughest batter to strike out. He capped the season with a standout performance in the Tucson Regional, going 6 for 15 with four runs scored and earning all-regional team honors. His three-hit effort helped GCU to an NCAA Tournament win over No. 25 Dallas Baptist.
"This is something I've pursued my whole life and to see it happen, it's a feeling no words can ever describe," Barreras said. "I want to thank my parents for giving me the ability to dream big. A lot of tough moments that we had gone through and we stuck together through it all. I want to thank my family members from Mexico who I missed early. And I want to thank every single person who has supported me, helped me, coached me and loved me. I truly have an amazing support system and I'm thankful for it."
Barreras made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2023, appearing in 45 games and earning a spot on the All-WAC Defensive Team. He held a batting average over .300 for much of the season and showed his poise from the start with a multi-hit collegiate debut on Opening Day.
Miami picks a GCU player for the first time since 2019 (Kade Mechals) and for just the third time overall.
Lyon was selected by Seattle after three strong seasons on the mound, where he became a dependable weekend starter and one of the program's most consistent arms in its Division I era.
"Congratulations to Isaac on his selection to the Mariners," Wallis said. "It was great to watch him blossom into a top-10 round talent during his time at GCU. And having his spring training complex based so close to GCU, it is exciting we'll all be able to watch his career closely. Look forward to seeing him excel in pro ball."
As a junior in 2025, Lyon served as GCU's Friday night ace, starting the first game of all 15 weekends. He led the team in ERA (4.19), innings pitched (86), and strikeouts (88), finishing top three in the WAC in both strikeouts and innings. He earned WAC Pitcher of the Week twice, first after striking out a career-high 12 in six shutout innings at Texas State, and again following an eight-inning complete game shutout of Seattle U. His season also included a 10-strikeout game against Utah Valley and a gutsy 119-pitch outing at Tarleton State in his final regular-season start.
"It's a dream come true," Lyon said. "I'd like to thank my family for the great support and the coaching I've gotten from growing up all the way to college."
In 2024, Lyon earned First Team All-WAC honors after posting a 79-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 2.73 ERA in conference play. He led the team with 81 2/3 innings pitched and tied for the GCU lead with six wins. He helped secure GCU's first NCAA Tournament win by recording a three-inning save against No. 15 Arizona, striking out four in a scoreless appearance.
Lyon began his GCU career in 2023, appearing in 10 games with three starts and contributing to two shutouts. Across his three seasons, he compiled 175 strikeouts in 181 1/3 innings, ranking among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts, ERA, and walk rate.
The Mariners drafted a GCU player for the first time since 2001 but have signed two Lopes in recent years as non-drafted free agents (Dustin Crenshaw in 2014, AJ Franks in 2017).
Wakefield is coming off a standout junior season, where he quickly became one of the Lopes' most dynamic offensive threats and a steady presence in right field.
"When I got the news that I was going to be drafted with the next pick, I didn't know how to react because I had so much emotion going through me," Wakefield said. "When I finally heard my name called, I just sat there taking it all in, then looked at my parents next to me and started bawling. Truly a moment I will never forget with them."
In his lone season at GCU, Wakefield led the team with 68 hits and 18 stolen bases while batting .349—good for second on the team and 12th in the WAC. He matched the program's Division I record with two separate three-steal games and added a four-walk game against Seattle U, tying another GCU D-I mark. After missing the season's first two weekends due to injury, he hit safely in his first 13 games and started 41 games in the leadoff spot, collecting a team-high 21 multi-hit games. Wakefield added a go-ahead home run at Texas State, a four-hit game against Oregon State and a three-RBI double in the WAC Tournament.
"In only one year in the region, Josh showed scouts he is an immensely talented baseball player," Wallis said. "I am happy for him and his family, and wishing Josh the best of luck as he starts his career with the Astros."
Prior to GCU, he starred at Iowa Western CC, where he hit .415 with a .520 on-base percentage and 41 career stolen bases across two seasons.
"I've put my heart and soul into baseball for as long as I can remember, and I have never wanted anything else," Wakefield said. "I have always bet on myself, when no one else did. None of this would have happened without my amazing supportive parents. They wanted this just as bad as I did. I wouldn't be the man and the player I am today without them. Truly blessed by the Lord."
Wakefield became the first GCU player drafted by Houston since 2019 (Preston Pavlica) and the fourth overall.
The Lopes that were picked on Monday included:
- Junior left-handed pitcher Grant Richardson (Athletics, sixth round, 170th overall)
- Junior shortstop Emilio Barreras (Miami Marlins, eighth round, 228th overall)
- Junior right-handed pitcher Isaac Lyon (Seattle Mariners, 10th round, 302nd overall)
- Junior right fielder Josh Wakefield (Houston Astros, 14th round, 426th overall)
The 2025 MLB Draft came on the eve of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, where the program's first selection, Jacob Wilson, will start at shortstop for the American League.
To view GCU's extensive history in professional baseball, click here.
2025 DRAFT SELECTIONS |
GRANT RICHARDSON
Left-handed pitcher - junior - Athletics - sixth round - 170th overall
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨. 💥
— Grand Canyon Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) July 14, 2025
Congrats, @grant_rich22! #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/RDNSOZOtAx
Richardson was GCU's highest pick of the 2025 MLB Draft, selected by the Athletics. Despite missing the 2025 season due to injury, his 2024 performance cemented his place as one of GCU's top arms. He was the third-highest draft selection of a GCU left-handed pitcher, following only Bart Haley (147th overall in 1986) and Zach Thornton (159th overall in 2023).
"Congratulations to Grant," Lopes head coach Gregg Wallis said. "He's accomplished a lot in his three-year career at GCU including a huge NCAA regional performance and graduating early. I look forward to seeing the big lefty pitch for the Athletics soon."
In 2024, Richardson transitioned from the bullpen into a weekend starter, finishing with a 5-1 record and a 3.73 ERA. He struck out 70 batters in 50 2/3 innings, setting a GCU record with 12.43 strikeouts per nine innings. He earned the win in GCU's first Division I NCAA Tournament victory, throwing six strong innings against No. 13 Arizona. WAC opponents hit just .194 against him, and he was named WAC Pitcher of the Week after a 10-strikeout, one-hit outing at Seattle U.
"I was pumped when I got the call, kind of a surreal feeling," Richardson said. "Obviously my goal is to play in the MLB one day and this was the next step to that goal. The last year has been a little different coming back from Tommy John surgery, but I've enjoyed the rehab process and excited to get back into game action and really feel the hard work to finally pay off. Wouldn't be in this spot without my parents who have supported me since Day 1 and the coaches who have believed in me and help me develop into the player and person I am today."
As a freshman in 2023, he made 14 appearances and earned his first win in the WAC Tournament. A product of Horizon High School, Richardson was a first-team all-region selection who now moves on to the professional ranks with one of the most dominant strikeout resumes in GCU history.
Richardson was GCU's firs player selected by the Athletics since Jacob Wilson went sixth overall in 2023 and becomes the franchise's seventh GCU player selected.
EMILIO BARRERAS
Shortstop - junior - Miami Marlins - eighth round - 228th overall
𝐀𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢. 🐟
— Grand Canyon Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) July 14, 2025
Congrats, @Emilio_Barreras! #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/LcQtpFpbSS
Barreras had a stellar three-year career at GCU, where he developed into one of the most reliable and disciplined shortstops in the country. He was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List which featured the nation's top 100 shortstops.
"I was super excited to hear my name get called," Barreras said. "I was really really emotional because of everything I had to do to get this opportunity. This was not easy at all to accomplish and to do it while being from a small town where sometimes dreams feel tough to accomplish."
As a junior in 2025, Barreras earned All-WAC Second Team and All-WAC Defensive Team honors despite missing over a month due to injury. He led GCU with a .358 batting average and .462 on-base percentage, both top-10 marks in the WAC. Known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, he struck out just seven times in 159 at-bats—the third-lowest rate in GCU's Division I era. He posted 18 multi-hit games, including a 13-game hitting streak, and delivered a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning at Stanford on May 9.
"Emilio is so deserving of this opportunity, and I'm thankful the Marlins recognized his talent and character," Wallis said. "Emilio was very fun to coach. He is a natural leader with outstanding work ethic. I anticipate the Marlins organization will love him as much as we do at GCU."
In 2024, Barreras started 56 games and was again named to the All-WAC Defensive Team. He hit .316 overall and .357 in conference play, finishing as the WAC's toughest batter to strike out. He capped the season with a standout performance in the Tucson Regional, going 6 for 15 with four runs scored and earning all-regional team honors. His three-hit effort helped GCU to an NCAA Tournament win over No. 25 Dallas Baptist.
"This is something I've pursued my whole life and to see it happen, it's a feeling no words can ever describe," Barreras said. "I want to thank my parents for giving me the ability to dream big. A lot of tough moments that we had gone through and we stuck together through it all. I want to thank my family members from Mexico who I missed early. And I want to thank every single person who has supported me, helped me, coached me and loved me. I truly have an amazing support system and I'm thankful for it."
Barreras made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2023, appearing in 45 games and earning a spot on the All-WAC Defensive Team. He held a batting average over .300 for much of the season and showed his poise from the start with a multi-hit collegiate debut on Opening Day.
Miami picks a GCU player for the first time since 2019 (Kade Mechals) and for just the third time overall.
ISAAC LYON
Right-handed pitcher - junior - Seattle Mariners - 10th round - 302nd overall
𝐀𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🔱
— Grand Canyon Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) July 14, 2025
Congrats, @IsaacLyon27! #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/EhguLtwFhS
Lyon was selected by Seattle after three strong seasons on the mound, where he became a dependable weekend starter and one of the program's most consistent arms in its Division I era.
"Congratulations to Isaac on his selection to the Mariners," Wallis said. "It was great to watch him blossom into a top-10 round talent during his time at GCU. And having his spring training complex based so close to GCU, it is exciting we'll all be able to watch his career closely. Look forward to seeing him excel in pro ball."
As a junior in 2025, Lyon served as GCU's Friday night ace, starting the first game of all 15 weekends. He led the team in ERA (4.19), innings pitched (86), and strikeouts (88), finishing top three in the WAC in both strikeouts and innings. He earned WAC Pitcher of the Week twice, first after striking out a career-high 12 in six shutout innings at Texas State, and again following an eight-inning complete game shutout of Seattle U. His season also included a 10-strikeout game against Utah Valley and a gutsy 119-pitch outing at Tarleton State in his final regular-season start.
"It's a dream come true," Lyon said. "I'd like to thank my family for the great support and the coaching I've gotten from growing up all the way to college."
In 2024, Lyon earned First Team All-WAC honors after posting a 79-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 2.73 ERA in conference play. He led the team with 81 2/3 innings pitched and tied for the GCU lead with six wins. He helped secure GCU's first NCAA Tournament win by recording a three-inning save against No. 15 Arizona, striking out four in a scoreless appearance.
Lyon began his GCU career in 2023, appearing in 10 games with three starts and contributing to two shutouts. Across his three seasons, he compiled 175 strikeouts in 181 1/3 innings, ranking among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts, ERA, and walk rate.
The Mariners drafted a GCU player for the first time since 2001 but have signed two Lopes in recent years as non-drafted free agents (Dustin Crenshaw in 2014, AJ Franks in 2017).
JOSH WAKEFIELD
Outfielder - junior - Houston Astros - 14th round - 426th overall
𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐇-𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧! ☄️🔭
— Grand Canyon Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) July 14, 2025
Congrats, @_JoshWakefield! #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/tvNITzAn3p
Wakefield is coming off a standout junior season, where he quickly became one of the Lopes' most dynamic offensive threats and a steady presence in right field.
"When I got the news that I was going to be drafted with the next pick, I didn't know how to react because I had so much emotion going through me," Wakefield said. "When I finally heard my name called, I just sat there taking it all in, then looked at my parents next to me and started bawling. Truly a moment I will never forget with them."
In his lone season at GCU, Wakefield led the team with 68 hits and 18 stolen bases while batting .349—good for second on the team and 12th in the WAC. He matched the program's Division I record with two separate three-steal games and added a four-walk game against Seattle U, tying another GCU D-I mark. After missing the season's first two weekends due to injury, he hit safely in his first 13 games and started 41 games in the leadoff spot, collecting a team-high 21 multi-hit games. Wakefield added a go-ahead home run at Texas State, a four-hit game against Oregon State and a three-RBI double in the WAC Tournament.
"In only one year in the region, Josh showed scouts he is an immensely talented baseball player," Wallis said. "I am happy for him and his family, and wishing Josh the best of luck as he starts his career with the Astros."
Prior to GCU, he starred at Iowa Western CC, where he hit .415 with a .520 on-base percentage and 41 career stolen bases across two seasons.
"I've put my heart and soul into baseball for as long as I can remember, and I have never wanted anything else," Wakefield said. "I have always bet on myself, when no one else did. None of this would have happened without my amazing supportive parents. They wanted this just as bad as I did. I wouldn't be the man and the player I am today without them. Truly blessed by the Lord."
Wakefield became the first GCU player drafted by Houston since 2019 (Preston Pavlica) and the fourth overall.
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