Villanova: Tampa Bay Rays select pitcher Hunter Schryver
Villanova heard a familiar name be called in the 2017 MLB draft yesterday.
With pick no. 199 on day two of the MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected former Villanova pitcher Hunter Schryver.
The pick equates to the 4th pick in the 7th round of the 40 round draft and carries an estimated $215.2K in slot signing value, although Schryver may sign below slot value due to being a senior in college.
Schryver, a 6’1” left-hander, just completed his senior season with the Wildcats, going 4-6 with a 2.44 ERA and striking out 91 this season over 12 starts. The lefty gave up zero home runs all season, while holding opposing batters to just a .213 batting average against.
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Schryver entered the season as the No. 9 ranked draft prospect in the conference and he did not disappoint, earning wins over Iowa and Xavier, two NCAA Tournament teams and throwing one complete game. Villanova went 14-33 this season, failing to qualify for the Big East Tournament.
Schryver was named to the 2017 All-BIG EAST First Team for the second straight year and was named the Philadelphia Big 5 Pitcher of the Year, a culmination of a terrific career at Villanova.
Schryver left this mark on the Wildcats program over his four years. As a freshman in 2014, he led the team with a 4.55 ERA and continued to improve steadily.
By his junior season, he recorded the lowest ERA of any Villanova pitcher since 2000 with a 2.64 ERA, a mark he surpassed this season.
According to Schryver in an interview with Matt Leon of CBS Philly, he throws a plus four-seam fastball, as well as a two-seam fastball, knuckle-curve and change-up.
Schryver leaves Villanova with his name in the record books and will now have until August 15th to sign with the team and continue his baseball career.
Any name being called from a local school is big news, and Villanova hearing Schryver being selected by the Rays is another step towards more baseball recognition.