ANTHONY CIAVARELLA SELECTED IN 2016 MLB DRAFT BY ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
MAAC Sports
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth baseball left-handed pitcher Anthony Ciavarella (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) was selected in the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, becoming the 10th Hawk ever to be drafted by a major league team. Ciavarella, a four-year contributor on the mound for MU, was picked in the 24th round, 736th overall.
"It's a dream come true," said Ciavarella. "Every ball player just wants a chance and I'm thankful the Cardinals have given that to me."
Ciavarella is the first Hawk drafted since 2012, when Pat Light was drafted in the first round, 37th overall by the Boston Red Sox. Ciavarella joins Light, who made his major league debut this April, and Baltimore Orioles reliever Brad Brach in the professional ranks.
The southpaw went 5-4 with a 4.12 as a senior, striking out 66 in 74.1 innings with just 21 walks. He won 12 games in his MU career, fanning 156 batters in 34 career starts. He was a 2013 NJCBA All-Rookie team selection.
Ciavarella, Light and Brach are the three current Hawks in affiliated professional baseball. Seven other Hawks have been drafted, including Brett Brach, Ryan Buch, Kyle Higgins, Ryan Terry, Lance Koenig, Chris Della Rocco and Mike St. Martine.