The MLB infatuation with the Duke bullpen continued on Tuesday when the Cincinnati Reds selected Jimmy Romano in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB draft.
Romano, a New Jersey native, made 45 relief appearances for the Blue Devils over the last two seasons. He finished with a career ERA of 4.58, including a personal-best 3.91 this past season, with a combined 2-2 record with one save.
Across his 37.1 innings in a Duke uniform, Romano struck out 47 batters with 36 hits and 18 walks. He took a major step forward in 2024, increasing his strikeouts per nine innings from 9.75 to 12.09 and lowering his WHIP (wins and hits per innings pitched) from 1.83 to 1.26. He even trimmed his opposing batting average from .286 to .242.
Romano became the fifth Duke pitcher taken in the 2024 draft. Jonathan Santucci, Duke’s left-handed ace, went to the New York Mets in the second round and All-ACC closer Charlie Beilenson went to the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round.
Jimmy Romano is headed to Reds Country!@jimmyromano_ ➡️ @Reds #BlueCollar x #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/ShoIeg4nfv
— Duke Baseball (@DukeBASE) July 16, 2024
Nick Conte and Fran Oschell III also got picked, going to the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth and 12th rounds, respectively.