Rutgers baseball has 3 players selected in 2022 MLB draft
After completing a season with the most wins in program history, the Rutgers baseball team saw three players take the next step in their careers as Dale Stanavich, Brian Fitzpatrick and Nick Cimillo were selected in the 2022 MLB draft. These Scarlet Knights will look to be the first alumni since Brian O’Grady to make it to the major league level.
Stanavich was taken in the eighth round with the 232nd overall pick by the Miami Marlins. The closer was dominant in the back end of the bullpen last season, being named to the All-Big Ten First Team after leading the conference with 10 saves.
He recorded a 2.10 earned run average in 34.1 innings, striking out 51 hitters while not allowing a single home run. Opposing batters hit just .195 against him.
"We are very excited for Dale to enter professional baseball," said head coach Steve Owens. "He has shown steady improvement each of the past two seasons and has performed at a very high level on a consistent basis. He will be ready to get hitters out at the end of games right away. He has the talent and mentality of all good back-end relievers."
Fitzpatrick was the next player selected, being chosen in the 10th round with the 312th overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers. This marks the first time since 2002 that multiple players from Rutgers were taken in the top-10 rounds.
Fitzpatrick missed most of the Knights’ season, suffering an injury early in non-conference play. The left-hander was able to return during the Big Ten Tournament, pitching four scoreless innings against Indiana while allowing just one hit. He used the summer to improve his draft stock, throwing 19 scoreless innings in the Cape Cod League.
"(Fitzpatrick) stayed positive and worked very hard to get back on the field for us at the end," Owens said. "He pitched great in the Big Ten Tournament and continued to excel with his starts in the Cape Cod League, throwing the entire month without giving up a run. His size and pitch repertoire could project him to continue his role as a starting pitcher."
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Cimillo in the 16th round on day three of the draft. The catcher spent his final collegiate season on the Banks after three seasons at Manhattan College.
Cimillo instantly became one of the biggest bats in the lineup, leading the Big Ten in batting average and slugging percentage He led an offense that ranked first in the country in runs per game.
The three selections are the most for Rutgers since 2010. The Knights lose big producers but have had a busy offseason, signing multiple transfers and gaining commitments from high school seniors.
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