Tag: 2024 MLB draft

Jimmy Romano becomes fifth Duke baseball player taken in 2024 MLB draft

The Blue Devils bullpen continued its hot streak in the 2024 MLB draft on Tuesday with Jimmy Romano, the fifth Duke pitcher off the board.

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.

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.

LSU slugger Jared Jones confirms return for 2025 season after he went undrafted

LSU will get a big power boost on its roster in 2025 with Jared Jones returning.

LSU’s lineup got a huge boost entering the 2025 season on Tuesday.

After he went unselected in the 2024 MLB draft, Tigers first baseman [autotag]Jared Jones[/autotag], a draft-eligible sophomore, confirmed that he will be coming back to Baton Rouge for his junior season.

After starting 47 games as a true freshman in 2023 while batting over .300 and hitting 14 home runs, the Marietta, Georgia, native took a huge step forward this spring.

He doubled his home run total to 28 — the fourth-highest single-season total in program history — while still batting .301. He also batted in 59 runs last season.

Jones’ slugging potential made him an intriguing prospect for some heading into the draft, but after he fell to Day 3, no team opted to take a late flyer on him.

Now, he’ll return to the Tigers in 2025 as he looks to be one of the top power hitters in college baseball.

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Ali Camarillo selected 346th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M shortstop Ali Camarillo has been selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft

The eighth Texas A&M baseball player from the talented 2024 roster has been selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, as starting shortstop Ali Camarillo, a California transplant, could be headed back to the Golden State after the Oakland Athletics picked with the 346th overall selection.

Camarillo still has the option of returning to the program for what would be his final collegiate season, but as of right now, expect the smooth operator to start his journey in the minors before (hopefully) making the big league roster. A former Little League World Series star, Camarillo’s Aggie career was short but highly memorable.

Helping the best team in Texas A&M baseball history make it all the way to the College World Series Finals for the first time in program history, the junior hit .288 with 72 hits, 36 RBIs, and seven home runs on the year. At the same time, his elite defensive skills will surely play a factor in what could be a fast rise through the minors.

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Evan Aschenbeck selected 392nd overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M star closer Evan Aschenbeck is officially off the MLB Draft board

While it’s not definite, it looks like Texas A&M star closer Evan Aschenbeck will be headed to Chicago to pursue his professional playing career, as the Chicago Cubs selected the Aggie senior with the 392nd pick in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

With his selection, Aschenbeck is now the seventh Aggie taken in the draft, and for good reason. After being named Stopper of the Year at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, Aschenbeck was nearly unhittable on the mound during the Aggie’s postseason run to the College World Series Finals.

After the hiring of new Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley, it was reported that Aschenbeck, who was always expected to go late in the draft, was applying for an extra year of eligibility, which is still currently in flux.

If this was indeed his last season with the program, the Brenham, Texas native finished the year in style with a 6-1 record, 10 saves, 87 strikeouts, and a NCAA-leading 1.78 ERA.

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Los Angeles Angels become fourth MLB team to draft a Duke pitcher with Fran Oschell III

The Los Angeles Angels became the fourth MLB team to draft a Duke pitcher on Tuesday when they snagged Fran Oschell III in the 12th round.

For the fourth time in three days, an MLB team snagged one of Duke’s pitchers on Tuesday.

During the 12th round of the 2024 MLB draft, the Los Angeles Angels drafted right-hander Fran Oschell III.

After an All-American season in 2023 when he finished with a 0.69 ERA and a 6-0 record in 22 relief appearances, Oschell appeared on every preseason First-Team All-American squad. After all, he averaged 1.68 strikeouts per inning against just 0.92 combined walks and hits per inning.

However, the 2024 season, while impressive, didn’t measure up to his star-making sophomore campaign. He made 22 trips to the mound again, but he only lasted 23.1 innings as opposed to his 39.1 from one season ago. His ERA rose to 6.94 and he ended with no wins and three losses on his ledger.

In all fairness, however, he didn’t give up an earned run in 14 of his 22 appearances. His ERA was 4.43 until he gave up five runs against North Carolina in the final regular-season series and three runs against Oklahoma at the Norman Regional.

His opposing batting average stayed low, only surrendering an opposing batting average of .198, but his strikeouts per nine innings dropped from 15.1 to 8.5.

Oschell joins Jonathan Santucci (second round, New York Mets), Charlie Beilenson (fifth round, Seattle Mariners), and Nick Conte (eighth round, Kansas City Royals) as Blue Devils draft picks in 2024.

Rockies draft LSU pitcher Justin Loer in 13th round

Justin Loer has an additional year of college eligibility if he chooses to use it.

With the 378th pick of the [autotag]2024 MLB Draft[/autotag], the [autotag]Colorado Rockies[/autotag] selected [autotag]Justin Loer[/autotag], a left-handed pitcher from LSU.

Justin Loer transferred to LSU after spending two seasons at Xavier. During his time with the Musketeers, Loer had an 8-3 record with a 2.41 ERA. He made 34 appearances out of the bullpen in those two seasons. Last year for LSU, Loer had a 2-0 record and a 5.92 ERA. He struck out 30 hitters and walked 12 over 24.1 innings of work.

Loer won’t be the only former LSU player joining the Rockies pitching staff in the minor leagues. Yesterday the Rockies drafted Fidel Ulloa from LSU. They will be teammates once again if Loer decides to sign with Colorado.

Loer was just a junior for the Tigers last season so he still has a year of eligibility left if he wants to use it, though he entered the transfer portal following the season. Congratulations to Justin and his family on hearing his name was drafted in the 13th round.

LSU reliever Christian Little drafted by Seattle Mariners

Christian Little was picked in the 11th round after two seasons at LSU.

With the 333rd pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the [autotag]Seattle Mariners[/autotag] have drafted [autotag]Christian Little[/autotag], a right-handed pitcher from LSU.

Little, the Vanderbilt transfer, has been in Baton Rouge for two seasons after spending two years at Vandy. During his career at LSU, Little finished with a 4-2 record and a 7.16 ERA. He had 80 strikeouts and 45 walks over 64.1 innings of work.

Little started his career as a starting pitcher for Vandy but has since transitioned into a bullpen role. He made 14 starts in two years for Vandy and eight starts in his first year at LSU but he did not make any starts this year in 23 appearances.

Little is a talented pitcher but he has struggled with location. That is a big reason why he has slid all the way down to the 11th round. He still has good stuff and I believe the Mariners can bring out the best version of him.

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Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard reacts to Nick Conte getting drafted

Nick Conte, despite collegiate injuries, heard his name called in the eighth round of the MLB draft, and Chris Pollard couldn’t be happier.

Despite dealing with some injuries that limited his time on the mound in Durham, Nick Conte is headed to the MLB.

The Kansas City Royals picked the right-handed pitcher in the eighth round of the 2024 draft on Monday, making him the third Blue Devil off the board. Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard went to social media to describe how happy he was for his former arm.

“Testament to resilience!” Pollard wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “(Conte) has shown grit and an unrelenting commitment to process. His best baseball is ahead of him. Go be great.”

Conte, who missed the entire 2023 season due to injury, only made 20 appearances during his four years in Durham. He finished 2024 with a career-best 4.50 ERA after spending six innings on the mound, and he struck out eight batters while allowing one extra-base hit. He only coughed up 14 hits over his entire Blue Devils career with only two going for multiple bases.

Conte joined Jonathan Santucci (second round, New York Mets) and Charlie Beilenson (fifth round, Seattle Mariners) as Blue Devils on the draft board.

Florida’s Fisher Jameson gets Day 2 call in 2024 MLB draft

Fisher Jameson is the third Gator to hear his named called during the 2024 MLB draft so far.

The Colorado Rockies selected Florida baseball’s right-handed pitcher [autotag]Fisher Jameson[/autotag] in the 10th round of the 2024 MLB draft with the 288th overall pick on Monday.

He follows first baseman/left-handed pitcher [autotag]Jac Caglianone[/autotag] (Round 1, Pick 6 – Kansas City Royals) and right-hander [autotag]Brandon Neely[/autotag] (Round 3, Pick 86 – Boston Red Sox) as the third Gator selected so far.

The Lake Worth, Florida, native became the 223rd individual draft selection in UF baseball history and the 108th in head coach [autotag]Kevin O’Sullivan[/autotag]’s 17-year tenure. Jameson is the 57th pitcher to be drafted under O’Sullivan, equating to 3.4 per season.

Jameson led all UF hurlers with a 3.99 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this past season — representing the team’s biggest breakout performance among the pitching corps — while also posting a perfect 5-0 record across a team-high 34 appearances. His .237 batting average against ranked second on the team and his 67 2/3 innings were good for third; he also struck out 79 batters against just 18 walks.

Across the team’s final 31 games, Jameson led Florida with 17 appearances, a 3.35 ERA and .226 BAA over 40 1/3 frames. In that span, he delivered a 3-0 record, three saves and 47 strikeouts while issuing only nine free passes. Jameson played a vital role in each of the Gators’ College World Series trips from 2023-24.

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Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard reacts to closer Charlie Beilenson getting drafted

With All-ACC closer Charlie Beilenson headed to the Seattle Mariners, Duke coach Chris Pollard took to social media to praise his star.

It wouldn’t shock any Duke baseball fans to know Jonathan Santucci and Charlie Beilenson were the first two Blue Devils off the board in the 2024 MLB draft.

After the Mets took Santucci in the second round, the Seattle Mariners took Beilenson in the fifth round to add him to their farm system. Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard took to X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) to sing his closer’s praises.

“What a story,” Pollard wrote. “Bet on himself. Now he’s got two Duke masters degrees, an ACC championship ring, consensus all-American honors, and a fast track to the MLB.”

As Pollard noted, Beilenson leaves Duke after a massively successful 2024 season. He made a trio of First Team All-American squads (ABCA/Rawlings, NCBWA, and Perfect Game) and ended up as an All-ACC First Team member. He ended the season with a 2.01 ERA, piling up a 7-3 record and 12 saves in 34 appearances.

Over Duke’s last two games in the ACC Tournament against Miami and Florida State, he threw a combined 3.1 shutout innings with two combined hits. The run resulted in a conference tournament title, yet another bullet on Beilenson’s 2024 resume.