Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern junior catcher Joe Lincoln has been selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2010 Major League Baseball player draft. 

Lincoln, a 6-4, 230 pound native of Tipton, Mo., was taken by the Dodgers in the 34th round today. He is the highest-drafted MIAA player so far this year and joins Emporia State's Colby Killian (41st-round Texas Rangers) as the only two MIAA players to be drafted as of yet. 

Lincoln was one of the best hitters in the MIAA this season. He led the Lions and ranked second in the MIAA with a .434 batting average and was even better in MIAA play where he hit .469. He led the Lions with 53 RBIs and was third with 11 home runs. He ranked fourth in the MIAA in hits and was eighth in the league in RBIs and tenth in home runs. 

Lincoln has been playing on the Nevada Griffons in the Mink League this summer and will make his decision shortly on whether or not to sign a contract. He still has one more year of eligibility left with the Lions. 

"We're all excited for Joe," said head coach Bryce Darnell. "It's a great opportunity and Joe is a great representative for Missouri Southern. We're anxious to see what his decision will be and I support him in whatever he decides. I think he proved today he was one of, if not the best, catcher in our league this season."