Tag: MLB Draft

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.

Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard reacts to Jonathan Santucci getting drafted

After the New York Mets drafted Duke southpaw Jonathan Santucci in the second round, Chris Pollard had some kind things to say about his star.

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.

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.

Tanner Bauman selected by Yankees in MLB Draft

Bauman joined Chase Allsup by being selected on day two of the 2024 MLB draft.

Former Auburn left-handed pitcher [autotag]Tanner Bauman[/autotag] was selected by the New York Yankees with the No. 271 pick in the ninth round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday afternoon. The two-year relief pitcher joins the organization after posting a 7-3 record and a 5.25 earned run average in 42 career appearances on the Plains.

The six-foot-five product from Jacksonville, Florida showed signs of his potential over the course of his time with the Tigers, throwing with a lot of spin and using his off-speed pitches to his advantage.

The bullpen in New York is fairly stable at the moment with notable pitchers like Tim Hill, Michael Tonkin and Luke Weaver taking up many of the relieving roles. While it will be a battle to make it up to the major league level, Bauman can make his case for why he should be a player to look out for in the coming years if he puts together a string of consistently good outings.

Bauman is the second player from Auburn to be taken in this year’s draft, along with fellow pitcher Chase Allsup. The slot value at the No. 271 overall pick is $192,600.

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Colorado Rockies select LeBarron Johnson Jr. on Day 2

In the fifth round, Colorado used the 139th overall pick on RHP Lebarron Johnson Jr.

The Colorado Rockies selected a Texas Longhorn on Monday afternoon for the second time in the MLB Draft. In the fifth round, Colorado used the 139th overall pick on RHP Lebarron Johnson Jr. He will join fellow Longhorn Jared Thomas, who heard his name called on Sunday.

During the 2024 campaign, Johnson appeared in 17 games, making 15 starts. In 72.1 innings, he posted a 5.60 ERA and struck out 84 batters. While his numbers may not jump off the page, he showed his potential in his final start of the season against Texas A&M. Against the national runner-up, the talented RHP struck out eight batters in five innings.

Over the last three years, the Jacksonville native posted a 4.04 ERA in 55 games for the Longhorns. As Johnson split time between the bullpen and rotation, he struck out 203 batters and helped opponents to a .248 batting average. For an organization that has struggled to develop pitching, his versatility will be a welcome addition for the Rockies.

With one year of eligibility left, Johnson has until August 1 to decide whether to return to Texas or sign with the Rockies. The value for the 139th overall pick’s signing bonus is $500,000, but that is not set in stone.

If the Rockies can sign Johnson, they will add a pitcher with an intriguing pitch mix. His arsenal includes a fastball that tops out in the low 90s paired with a splitter and cutter that keep batters off balance.

Over the next few weeks, Johnson will be a player to watch as he decides what is best for his baseball career.

Husker pitcher Brett Sears drafted by Atlanta Braves

With the 221st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Brett Sears.

A Nebraska pitcher heard his name called in Monday’s MLB draft. With the 221st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Brett Sears.

Atlanta selected Sears in the seventh round, becoming the fourth seventh-round selection in Nebraska history. Sears is now the fifth Husker pitcher under head coach Will Bolt to be drafted in the first 10 roundten, joining Spencer Schwellenbach, Cade Povich, Emmett Olson, and Jace Kaminska.

The senior is the sixth Husker to be selected by the Braves in the draft. Sears earned All-American and Academic All-American in the 2024 season, the first Nebraska player in the same season since Aaron Marsden in 2003.

He was also named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection, posting a 9-1 record with a 2.16 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 104 innings. He finished among the national leaders throughout the season, ranking fourth with a 0.88 WHIP, fifth in ERA (2.16), 19th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.32), and 20th in hits allowed/9 inn. (6.23).

Sears is the first Husker to throw 100-plus strikeouts in a season since 2008, and his 101 strikeouts placed him ninth in program history. His 104 innings pitching also finished him tied for eighth in program history.

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Kentucky’s Ryan Nicholson, Trey Pooser chosen on Day 2 of MLB Draft

In addition to Emilien Pitre, Kentucky saw two more players drafted Monday.

Kentucky saw two more players taken on Day 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft Monday.

After the Tampa Bay Rays took second baseman Emilien Pitre in the second round (58th overall), the team used their 10th-round pick on pitcher Trey Pooser (No. 306 overall).

First baseman Ryan Nicholson was drafted in the 10th round (No. 292 overall) by the Los Angeles Angels — 14 spots before Pooser was chosen. Nicholson’s slot value is listed by MLB.com as $184,700; Pooser’s is listed as $180,300.

Nicholson transferred to Kentucky after spending three years at Cincinnati. He was a major contributor on a Wildcats team that reached the College World Series for the first time in school history. Nicholson hit .306 with a team-high 23 home runs and 63 RBIs in 59 games. He tied Kentucky’s single-season record for most home runs.

A native of Louisville, Nicholson finished with a 1.094 OPS and had several big moments in 2024, including his game-tying ninth-inning home run in the Wildcats’ College World Series debut against NC State. Kentucky went on to win in 10 innings on a walk-off home run from Mitchell Daly.

For his part, Pooser was another transfer into Nick Mingione’s program who excelled in 2024. The right-hander and former College of Charleston hurler became the Wildcats’ best pitcher, particularly down the stretch.

He tossed seven innings of one-run ball against Illinois in the Lexington Regional and following it up with seven shutout innings of one-hit ball in the opener of the Super Regional against Oregon State. Pooser ended the season 7-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 19 games (13 starts). He struck out 82 batters and walked 35 in 90 innings pitched.

Kentucky also saw two transfer portal additions selected on Day 2 of the draft in former Canisius outfielder Jackson Strong (seventh round by Detroit) and former Transylvania University infielder Trent Youngblood (10th round by Arizona).

Earlier in the draft, Ryan Waldschmidt was selected with the 31st overall pick by Arizona on Sunday. The 2024 MLB Draft will conclude Tuesday.

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Anthony Donofrio selected by Seattle Mariners

The Pacific Northwest called UNC’s starting right fielder in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Even though the UNC baseball team only had him for one season, Anthony Donofrio put together quite the special year.

Donofrio, who transferred in from Quinnipiac for his final year of college eligibility, immediately made an impact in Chapel Hill with his speed (two stolen bases in opening series). As the Diamond Heels’ season progressed, Donofrio became one of North Carolina’s top hitters, finishing third-best on the team with a .326 batting average.

Like his outfield counterparts in Vance Honeycutt and Casey Cook, Donofrio also had quite the glove. Even with all the tools Donofrio had in his bag, would he play himself into an MLB Draft selection?

Any team can use a speedy, contact-hitting outfielder with a solid glove, especially when that outfielder has a bit of pop (seven home runs, 53 RBIs).

Going back to that earlier question: yes, Donofrio played himself into an MLB Draft choice.

On Monday, July 15, the Seattle Mariners picked Donofrio in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.

Though he struggled in the College World Series, Donofrio mashed a combined, lights-out 9-for-17 in the Chapel Hill Regional and first game of the Chapel Hill Super Regional. His production will be missed, as UNC will need to replace its entire starting outfield.

I’m excited that Donofrio gets this opportunity to play at the next level. We wish him the best!

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Vance Honeycutt pick second straight year Baltimore Orioles choose from UNC

Mac Horvath and Vance Honeycutt share this unique MLB Draft Distinction.

UNC baseball fans had their eyes glued to the TV on Sunday, July 14, wondering where all-time program great Vance Honeycutt would go in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Early-season mock drafts had Honeycutt going Top 10, while a recent one had him 13th overall to the San Francisco Giants.

After waiting for nearly two hours, Honeycutt went 22nd overall to the Baltimore Orioles. With an NCAA Tournament that included two walk-offs – a home run in Game 1 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional, then a ninth-inning single against Virginia in the College World Series, Honeycutt slipping was a bit surprising.

If you go back and look at Honeycutt’s career numbers, though, he struck out 224 times. More strikeouts are to be expected for power hitters, but that number is concerning.

Regardless, Honeycutt is a steal of the draft based on his selection. He also wasn’t the lone former Tar Heel heading to Baltimore via the MLB Draft.

In the second round of last year’s MLB Draft, the Orioles chose North Carolina third baseman Mac Horvath.

Honeycutt and Horvath played together in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, sharing an ACC Baseball Championship Title in 2022. The star duo led UNC to a Super Regional in 2022, only for Arkansas to win that and advance to the College World Series.

Judging from his post above, you can bet Diamond Heels head coach Scott Forbes is a happy camper.

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Baltimore Orioles select USC outfielder Austin Overn in 2024 MLB draft

Austin Overn finds a great landing spot with the Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles have selected USC Trojans outfielder Austin Overn with the No. 97 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 MLB draft.

Austin Overn has played on both the USC football and baseball teams during his time at the school, playing wide receiver in 2022. In 2023, he began playing for the Trojans baseball team and ended up with two excellent seasons for USC.

In 117 career games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Austin Overn hit .291 with a .376 OBP and a .495 slugging percentage. He had 12 home runs and 70 RBIs to go along with 23 doubles and 19 triples. He also stole 33 bases.

He also set a new single-season USC record for triples with 14 as a freshman, breaking the previous USC record of 10 set by Grant Green in 2008. At the end of the 2023 season, he was named a freshman All-American, an All-Pac-12 selection and a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection.

On Day 1 of the MLB draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected outfielder Vance Honeycutt, No. 22 overall, out of the University of North Carolina. Then they picked two players from the University of Virginia — shortstop Griff O’Ferrall (No. 32) and catcher Ethan Anderson (No. 61) beef selecting Overn today.

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Kansas City Royals draft Duke pitcher Nick Conte in the eighth round of 2024 MLB draft

The Kansas City Royals drafted Duke reliever Nick Conte in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB draft on Monday.

Three Duke Blue Devils have come off the board in the 2024 MLB draft, and all of them call the pitcher’s mound home.

One day after the New York Mets drafted southpaw Jonathan Santucci and hours after the Seattle Mariners took Charlie Beilenson, the Kansas City Royals took right-handed reliever Nick Conte in the eighth round.

Duke fans would be forgiven for not expecting Conte as the third Blue Devil off the board. The reliever offers promising upside with his velocity, but he only made 20 appearances across the last four seasons in Durham. He totaled 18.1 innings across his four-year career, 10.0 of which came in 2021.

He (presumably) leaves Durham with a career ERA of 5.89 and a 3-1 record. He trimmed his ERA down to a career-low 4.50 in 2024, striking out eight batters in six innings. He notched his only decision of the season, a win against Miami, back in April, and he only gave up five hits and three walks for the year.

Conte surrendered an opposing batting average of .209 in college, a beneficial addition for a Royals team already within the top 10 in team ERA for the 2024 season.