Newest Baseball Pros Shine in First Season
10/5/2018 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Seton Hall baseball team is coming off one of its more special seasons in recent memory with 30 wins and a runner-up finish at the BIG EAST Championship last May. Fueling the team's success were seven standouts that were either drafted by or signed with Major League Baseball franchises in June. The seven affiliated signings in one summer is a Seton Hall record and speaks to the advancement of the program in recent years.
The new Pirate professionals continued their college success on the next level this summer.
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Billy Layne, Jr. burst onto the scene in 2018, eventually becoming a mainstay in Seton Hall's weekend rotation. Named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, he finished his junior season with a 5-1 record and a 3.09 earned run average.
On June 6th, Layne, Jr. became the first Pirate to be selected in the 2018 MLB Draft when the Texas Rangers selected him in the 11th round. The Rangers shipped him to their rookie league affiliate in the Arizona League where he quickly became one of the dominant players in the league. Layne, Jr. appeared in 10 games, making five starts and pitched to a microscopic 1.63 earned run average over 27.2 innings pitched. The right-hander struck out 36 batters, walked only four and opponents hit only .212 against him. Layne, Jr.'s last start of the season might have been his best as a professional. He went five innings against the Cubs, allowing one run and struck out a career-high eight batters.
Look for Layne, Jr. to be moving up this spring as he enters his second year in professional baseball with a promotion to the Spokane Indians (Rangers' single-A short-season affiliate) or the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers' single-A affiliate) likely.
ANDREW POLITI
RHP – Long Valley, N.J.
Boston Red Sox – 15th Round
The last time we saw Andrew Politi, he was making batters look silly at the 2018 BIG EAST Championship. Named to the 2018 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team, he made two appearances and allowed just one run over nine innings, while striking out a tournament-high 15 batters. For the season, he pitched to a 3.13 earned run average in 16 appearances.
Politi's collegiate excellence caught the eye of the Boston Red Sox, who selected the hurler in the 15th round of the MLB Draft. Boston sent the right-hander to their single-A short-season affiliate, the Lowell Spinners, for the summer, and he was instantly a sensation out of the bullpen. Politi appeared in a team-high 21 games for the Spinners, serving primarily as the team's closer late in the season. The fireballer pitched to a 4.34 earned run average in 29.0 innings pitched with seven saves, 43 strikeouts and 10 walks. Politi's 43 strikeouts ranked fourth on the team, despite not starting a game for the Spinners. The three leaders in strikeouts were all starters.
Boston is high on Politi, so look for a promotion to their single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, this spring.
SHANE MCCARTHY
RHP – Fair Haven, N.J.
Cleveland Indians – 18th Round
He is all over the Seton Hall baseball record books, and Shane McCarthy now appears destined for the record books in the Cleveland Indians organization.
After being drafted in the 18th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, McCarthy decided to return to the Pirates with unfinished business. Named to an All-BIG EAST Team for a second time, he ranked among the conference's top-10 in innings pitched in 2018. A durable starter with a 3.15 ERA in conference play, only one player in Seton Hall history has started more games in a Pirate uniform.
On June 6, McCarthy was again selected in the 18th round of the MLB Draft, this time by the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland initially sent the right-hander to their Arizona League rookie affiliate, where he was dominant in nine appearances. Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen, McCarthy went 2-0 with a 1.35 earned run average in 20.0 innings pitched. Showing his usual excellent control, he struck out 20 batters and walked only two.
His performance earned him a promotion on August 2 to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Cleveland's single-A, short-season affiliate. With the Scrappers, McCarthy's game rose to an even higher level. In six appears, which included four starts, he allowed just one earned run over 21.0 innings pitched… that's a 0.43 earned run average. McCarthy struck out 16 batters, walked two, and opponents hit only .178 against him. Trusted in crucial situations, he made the final start of the season for Mahoning Valley, an elimination game in the first round of the New York – Penn League playoffs. McCarthy allowed only one run over five strong innings, and received a no decision.
McCarthy appears poised to move onto stiffer completion this spring with a promotion to the Lake County Captains (single-A) or the Lynchburg Hillcats (single-A advanced) likely.
RYAN RAMIZ
OF – Freehold, N.J.
Seattle Mariners – 23rd Round
One of only four unanimous selections to the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2018, Ryan Ramiz capped his stellar four-year career ranked among Seton Hall's top-10 in games played, at bats, triples and walks. Ramiz was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team in 2017, but took his game to a new level in 2018. In conference-only games, he led the BIG EAST with a .429 batting average and a .528 on-base percentage. Ramiz also ranked among the conference's top-10 in hits, doubles, walks and RBIs.
After three Pirate pitchers were selected, Ramiz became the first Seton Hall position player chosen in the 2018 MLB Draft when the Seattle Mariners grabbed him in the 23rd round. Seattle sent him to their Arizona League rookie affiliate where he batted .298 in 47 at bats and played all three outfield positions.
Ramiz was promoted after less than three weeks in Arizona to the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners single-A short-season affiliate. There, Ramiz batted .241 in 166 at bats with his first two career home runs, 13 RBIs and 32 walks. He even got to hit in the AquaSox order next to MLB great Robinson Cano, who was on a rehab assignment.
A promotion to the West Virginia Power (single-A) is certainly a possibility this spring.
CULLEN DANA
LHP – Montgomery, N.Y.
San Diego Padres – 30th Round
Cullen Dana missed the 2018 college baseball season as he rehabbed from elbow surgery, but his impressive two-year ledger as both a freshman and sophomore at Seton Hall was enough to entice a number of MLB teams. A two-time All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, he twice ranked among the conference's top-10 in wins, earned run average and strikeouts.
Selected in the 30th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. Dana spent the summer continuing his rehab process, and his prospects for playing this spring are strong.
MATT LEON
RHP – Bethlehem, Pa.
Los Angeles Angels – Free Agent
One of the truly great success stories to grace Seton Hall in recent years, Matt Leon went from a walk-on at Seton Hall to now a professional in a Major League Baseball organization.
One of only four unanimous players named to the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2018, Leon put together arguably the greatest single-season performance for a relief pitcher in Seton Hall history. Leon broke Seton Hall's single-season record for saves, and climbed to second on the Pirates' career saves and appearances list. He led the BIG EAST in saves, appearances, games finished and games in relief.
On June 15, the Los Angeles Angels signed Leon to a free agent contract, and three days later, assigned him to their Arizona League rookie affiliate. In Arizona, Leon didn't take long to show he belonged in a higher level. The right-hander made only three appearances, allowing just three hits and no runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He struck out 10 batters with just one walk.
Leon's dominance earned him a promotion to the Orem Owls. In Orem, Leon made 13 appearances, and was stretched out to become a starter, making eight starts. Although his first few starts didn't impress, Leon improved as the season progressed, and allowed only seven runs over his last 24.2 innings pitched… a 2.60 earned run average.
Advancement to the Angel's single-A affiliate, the Burlington Bees, in the spring seems likely.
MIKE ALESCIO
C – Fair Haven, N.J.
Milwaukee Brewers – Free Agent
Named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team as a senior, Mike Alescio established himself as one of the elite collegiate catchers in the nation. A two-time member of the Johnny Bench Award Watch List, he ranked fourth on the Pirates with a .302 batting average in 2018 to go with three home runs and 24 RBIs.
Signed to a free agent contract on June 29 by the Milwaukee Brewers, Alescio was assigned to their Arizona League rookie affiliate to begin his career. In Arizona, he batted .364 in four games, including three RBIs.
Milwaukee quickly moved Alescio to the Helena Brewers, where he played for the remainder of his first professional summer. In Helena, Alescio batted .180 in 21 games, including a home run and six RBIs, while excelling defensively behind the plate.
A promotion to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Milwaukee's single-A affiliate, seems likely this spring.
The new Pirate professionals continued their college success on the next level this summer.
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BILLY LAYNE, JR.
RHP – Cliffwood Beach, N.J.
Texas Rangers – 11th Round
RHP – Cliffwood Beach, N.J.
Texas Rangers – 11th Round
Billy Layne, Jr. burst onto the scene in 2018, eventually becoming a mainstay in Seton Hall's weekend rotation. Named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, he finished his junior season with a 5-1 record and a 3.09 earned run average.
On June 6th, Layne, Jr. became the first Pirate to be selected in the 2018 MLB Draft when the Texas Rangers selected him in the 11th round. The Rangers shipped him to their rookie league affiliate in the Arizona League where he quickly became one of the dominant players in the league. Layne, Jr. appeared in 10 games, making five starts and pitched to a microscopic 1.63 earned run average over 27.2 innings pitched. The right-hander struck out 36 batters, walked only four and opponents hit only .212 against him. Layne, Jr.'s last start of the season might have been his best as a professional. He went five innings against the Cubs, allowing one run and struck out a career-high eight batters.
Look for Layne, Jr. to be moving up this spring as he enters his second year in professional baseball with a promotion to the Spokane Indians (Rangers' single-A short-season affiliate) or the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers' single-A affiliate) likely.
ANDREW POLITI
RHP – Long Valley, N.J.
Boston Red Sox – 15th Round
The last time we saw Andrew Politi, he was making batters look silly at the 2018 BIG EAST Championship. Named to the 2018 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team, he made two appearances and allowed just one run over nine innings, while striking out a tournament-high 15 batters. For the season, he pitched to a 3.13 earned run average in 16 appearances.
Politi's collegiate excellence caught the eye of the Boston Red Sox, who selected the hurler in the 15th round of the MLB Draft. Boston sent the right-hander to their single-A short-season affiliate, the Lowell Spinners, for the summer, and he was instantly a sensation out of the bullpen. Politi appeared in a team-high 21 games for the Spinners, serving primarily as the team's closer late in the season. The fireballer pitched to a 4.34 earned run average in 29.0 innings pitched with seven saves, 43 strikeouts and 10 walks. Politi's 43 strikeouts ranked fourth on the team, despite not starting a game for the Spinners. The three leaders in strikeouts were all starters.
Boston is high on Politi, so look for a promotion to their single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, this spring.
SHANE MCCARTHY
RHP – Fair Haven, N.J.
Cleveland Indians – 18th Round
He is all over the Seton Hall baseball record books, and Shane McCarthy now appears destined for the record books in the Cleveland Indians organization.
After being drafted in the 18th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, McCarthy decided to return to the Pirates with unfinished business. Named to an All-BIG EAST Team for a second time, he ranked among the conference's top-10 in innings pitched in 2018. A durable starter with a 3.15 ERA in conference play, only one player in Seton Hall history has started more games in a Pirate uniform.
On June 6, McCarthy was again selected in the 18th round of the MLB Draft, this time by the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland initially sent the right-hander to their Arizona League rookie affiliate, where he was dominant in nine appearances. Pitching exclusively out of the bullpen, McCarthy went 2-0 with a 1.35 earned run average in 20.0 innings pitched. Showing his usual excellent control, he struck out 20 batters and walked only two.
His performance earned him a promotion on August 2 to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Cleveland's single-A, short-season affiliate. With the Scrappers, McCarthy's game rose to an even higher level. In six appears, which included four starts, he allowed just one earned run over 21.0 innings pitched… that's a 0.43 earned run average. McCarthy struck out 16 batters, walked two, and opponents hit only .178 against him. Trusted in crucial situations, he made the final start of the season for Mahoning Valley, an elimination game in the first round of the New York – Penn League playoffs. McCarthy allowed only one run over five strong innings, and received a no decision.
McCarthy appears poised to move onto stiffer completion this spring with a promotion to the Lake County Captains (single-A) or the Lynchburg Hillcats (single-A advanced) likely.
RYAN RAMIZ
OF – Freehold, N.J.
Seattle Mariners – 23rd Round
One of only four unanimous selections to the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2018, Ryan Ramiz capped his stellar four-year career ranked among Seton Hall's top-10 in games played, at bats, triples and walks. Ramiz was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team in 2017, but took his game to a new level in 2018. In conference-only games, he led the BIG EAST with a .429 batting average and a .528 on-base percentage. Ramiz also ranked among the conference's top-10 in hits, doubles, walks and RBIs.
After three Pirate pitchers were selected, Ramiz became the first Seton Hall position player chosen in the 2018 MLB Draft when the Seattle Mariners grabbed him in the 23rd round. Seattle sent him to their Arizona League rookie affiliate where he batted .298 in 47 at bats and played all three outfield positions.
Ramiz was promoted after less than three weeks in Arizona to the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners single-A short-season affiliate. There, Ramiz batted .241 in 166 at bats with his first two career home runs, 13 RBIs and 32 walks. He even got to hit in the AquaSox order next to MLB great Robinson Cano, who was on a rehab assignment.
A promotion to the West Virginia Power (single-A) is certainly a possibility this spring.
CULLEN DANA
LHP – Montgomery, N.Y.
San Diego Padres – 30th Round
Cullen Dana missed the 2018 college baseball season as he rehabbed from elbow surgery, but his impressive two-year ledger as both a freshman and sophomore at Seton Hall was enough to entice a number of MLB teams. A two-time All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, he twice ranked among the conference's top-10 in wins, earned run average and strikeouts.
Selected in the 30th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. Dana spent the summer continuing his rehab process, and his prospects for playing this spring are strong.
MATT LEON
RHP – Bethlehem, Pa.
Los Angeles Angels – Free Agent
One of the truly great success stories to grace Seton Hall in recent years, Matt Leon went from a walk-on at Seton Hall to now a professional in a Major League Baseball organization.
One of only four unanimous players named to the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2018, Leon put together arguably the greatest single-season performance for a relief pitcher in Seton Hall history. Leon broke Seton Hall's single-season record for saves, and climbed to second on the Pirates' career saves and appearances list. He led the BIG EAST in saves, appearances, games finished and games in relief.
On June 15, the Los Angeles Angels signed Leon to a free agent contract, and three days later, assigned him to their Arizona League rookie affiliate. In Arizona, Leon didn't take long to show he belonged in a higher level. The right-hander made only three appearances, allowing just three hits and no runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He struck out 10 batters with just one walk.
Leon's dominance earned him a promotion to the Orem Owls. In Orem, Leon made 13 appearances, and was stretched out to become a starter, making eight starts. Although his first few starts didn't impress, Leon improved as the season progressed, and allowed only seven runs over his last 24.2 innings pitched… a 2.60 earned run average.
Advancement to the Angel's single-A affiliate, the Burlington Bees, in the spring seems likely.
MIKE ALESCIO
C – Fair Haven, N.J.
Milwaukee Brewers – Free Agent
Named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team as a senior, Mike Alescio established himself as one of the elite collegiate catchers in the nation. A two-time member of the Johnny Bench Award Watch List, he ranked fourth on the Pirates with a .302 batting average in 2018 to go with three home runs and 24 RBIs.
Signed to a free agent contract on June 29 by the Milwaukee Brewers, Alescio was assigned to their Arizona League rookie affiliate to begin his career. In Arizona, he batted .364 in four games, including three RBIs.
Milwaukee quickly moved Alescio to the Helena Brewers, where he played for the remainder of his first professional summer. In Helena, Alescio batted .180 in 21 games, including a home run and six RBIs, while excelling defensively behind the plate.
A promotion to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Milwaukee's single-A affiliate, seems likely this spring.
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