Josh Lester

2015

Drafted in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and began his professional career in June.
Started all but one game at third base and served as cleanup hitter for most of the season
Hit .280 while slugging a team-best .436 and driving in a team-high 42 runs, scoring 33 more.
His 42 RBI are the most by a Tiger since 2012 when Dane Opel drove in 46 runs.
Recorded team-long 14-game hit streak
Smashed a team-best seven homeruns on the year
Finished with 10 multiple-RBI games on the season, best on the team
Led the team in intentional walks with four
Batted .455 with the bases loaded
Third on the team in extra-base hits with 17 (eight doubles, two triples, seven homers).
His 42 RBI, seven homers, 30 walks and 33 runs scored are all career-bests.
Led the team with a .354 clip with runners in scoring position (23-for-65)

2014

Mizzou's everyday shortstop, started in 51 games for the Tigers.
With 18 walks and 46 hits in 194 at bats, Lester developed a .298 on-base percentage and slugged .296 on the year.
Tallied his second career four-hit game early in the season against Radford, going 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI (2/21)
Throughout the season, Lester gathered 14 multi-hit games.
Also went 2-for-3 with a run scored in a one-run loss against the No. 14 Rebels of Ole Miss (3/21).

2013

Named to the All-SEC Freshman team in 2013.
Had arguably the best freshman season by a Tiger infielder since Eric Garcia in 2010 as he hit .260 with a team-best 11 extra-base hits, including a team-best nine doubles and two homers.
Also played all four infield positions in his first year as a Tiger and despite playing all four infield spots, he had just four errors, the lowest among Tiger infielders while playing in 49 of 40 games, starting 42.
He had a team infielder-best .986 fielding percentage.
Struck out just 23 times in 154 at-bats and had 25 RBI and 14 runs scored as he hit .294 with runners on base and .306 with runners in scoring position.
His numbers stayed consistent in SEC play as well, hitting .260 with six of his nine doubles and both homers coming in league contests.
Launched his first career homer at Tennessee (3/23) and homered again at Texas A&M, a three-run shot to right field (5/4).
His 40 hits were third on the team, trailing only Dane Opel and Dylan Kelly.
He had a four-hit game in the Sunday contest against Florida (4/21), becoming the first Tiger freshman with a four-hit game since CJ Jarvis in 2011.
2012-13 SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll

High School

Drafted in the 30th round of the MLB First Year Player Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Is one of two current Tigers to play in the Little League World Series, helping Northern Georgia LL claim the 2006 Little League World Series Title.
Was a career .350 hitter with two home runs and 103 RBI while at Columbus High School under the direction of head coach Bobby Howard.
Hit .394 with two homers and 43 RBI in his senior season and guided Columbus High School to a 31-4 overall record and a state championship.
All-Bi-City selection as a senior in 2012.
Honorable mention Bi-City in 2010 and 2011 as well.
Earned three Georgia State Championships and four State Championship appearances during his four seasons with Columbus.

Personal

Born on July 17, 1994, to parents Jimmy and Beth Lester in Columbus, Ga.
Two of his high school teammates - J.T. Phillips and Kyle Carter - play for fellow SEC rival Georgia.
Plans to major in sport management while at Mizzou.
Sister is a soccer player for Columbus High School, which placed second at the state championships in her freshman season last year.