The New York Mets got a good one in [autotag]Jonathan Santucci[/autotag] on Sunday.
One of the two MLB franchises in the Big Apple snagged the Duke left-hander in the second round of this year’s draft, and Blue Devils coach Chris Pollard couldn’t be happier for the former All-ACC hurler.
“Special dude,” Pollard wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Elite combination of physical ability, competitiveness, and work ethic. Elite athlete, but also a grinder. #bluecollar.”
Santucci finished his junior year with a 6-1 record and a 3.41 ERA, striking out 90 batters in 58.0 innings on the hill. He held his opponents to a .188 batting average, and opposing teams managed just a .208 average against him over his entire collegiate career.
His best game from the 2024 season came against Akron in his third start of the year, tossing six innings and allowing a single hit without a run. He struck out 14 batters that night, one of three starts with double-digit strikeouts this year.
Special dude. @Mets got a great one. Elite combination of physical ability, competitiveness, and work ethic. Elite athlete, but also a grinder. #bluecollar https://t.co/0WSEScLs3G
— Chris Pollard (@coachchris14) July 15, 2024
Santucci nursed a rib injury during Duke’s run through the ACC Tournament, but the injury isn’t expected to inhibit his first season in the pros after he returned to the mound during the Norman Regional.