01 Jul 2026 Detroit Tigers purchase contract of former Harding All-American

Posted at 6:09 PMh in Sports by

SEARCY — Former Harding University standout right-handed pitcher Maddox Long has signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers, the organization announced Monday. After passing his physical, Long’s contract was purchased from the Washington Wild Things of the independent Frontier League.

Long will report to the Tigers’ farm system, beginning his affiliated professional career with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League (FCL) Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. He becomes the seventh player in Harding baseball history to sign with a Major League Baseball affiliated organization.

The Morrilton, Arkansas, native earned his shot in affiliated baseball after a dominant start to his professional career in Washington, Pennsylvania. Long was 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA across 44.2 innings pitched for the Wild Things. He struck out 32 batters while walking only five, leading the league with a microscopic 0.780 WHIP and ranking second in ERA among qualified pitchers.

Before entering the professional ranks, Long compiled one of the most decorated pitching careers in Harding history. His senior campaign in 2025 was historic, as he went 11-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) for the Bisons. Over 108.1 innings, he fanned 122 batters while walking just 28, earning consensus First-Team All-American honors and Central Region Pitcher of the Year accolades.

His junior season in 2024 was equally spectacular. Long pitched the Bisons to a 6-1 record with a 3.33 ERA in 16 starts, striking out 107 batters over 105.1 innings to earn GAC Pitcher of the Year and his first All-American nod. Across his four-year career in Searcy, Long was the undisputed ace of the Bisons’ staff, racking up 386 strikeouts.

Long also found success in the summer collegiate Northwoods League, leading the Green Bay Rockers to league championships in both 2023 and 2025. In 2025, he was a Midseason All-Star, going 3-1 with a 0.95 ERA and striking out 37 batters in 38.0 innings.

With the signing, Long joins a prestigious list of former Bisons in affiliated baseball, a group headlined by former MLB All-Star Preacher Roe (1938-1954). The list also includes Darwin Pennye (1988-1992), Tim Lacefield (1997), Matt Thomas (2001), Justin Phillips (2007), and Jason Nappi (2011).

Long is one of four former Harding players currently active in professional baseball this summer, joining his former college catcher Collin Helms (Washington Wild Things, Frontier League), Davis Welch (Milwaukee Milkmen, American Association), and Ryder Yakel (Cleburne Railroaders, American Association).