Baseball’s Zach Hart Selected by Cleveland Indians on Second Day of MLB Draft
SECAUCUS, N.J. (June 4, 2019) -- Senior right-hander Zach Hart (Wallingford, Conn.) of the Franklin Pierce University baseball team was selected on Tuesday evening by the Cleveland Indians in the 10th round (310 overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Hart will most likely report to the Indians' Class-A, short-season, New York-Penn League affiliate, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Franklin Pierce has now had 29 draft selections in program history, beginning with Justin Blood in 2001. Since that first selection, only Boston College (57) and Connecticut (53) have had more draftees among New England schools, regardless of division.
Hart's selection breaks a two-year drought in the MLB Draft for the Ravens, who have now had selections in 15 of the last 19 seasons. The 10th-round selection is the highest selection by round for Franklin Pierce since Keith Renaud went in the 10th round (315 overall) to the Seattle Mariners in 2007. By pick number, Hart's selection at 311 makes him the highest-picked Raven since Garrett Olson was selected in the fourth round (126 overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2006.
In becoming the 29th draft pick in school history, Hart becomes the second Franklin Pierce player drafted by the Indians, joining Scott Savastano, who was picked by Cleveland in the 28th round (857 overall) in 2007. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Hart will become the first Franklin Pierce player ever to play in the Indians' organization, as Savastano elected not to sign and returned to Rindge for his junior season.
"Zach is everything you would want in a pitcher: size, velocity, command, and he will do anything to win," said head coach Mike Chambers following Hart's selection. "I couldn't be more proud of Zach for everything he has accomplished. This is only the beginning for him. I can't wait to see him flourish at the next level."
Hart carried the second-heaviest load for the Franklin Pierce pitching staff this spring, as he racked up 68 innings, despite missing nearly three weeks due to injury at one point. Over 14 appearances, including 10 starts, he allowed 23 runs (20 earned) on 64 hits, walked 18 and struck out 68 (9.00 per nine innings). Hart posted a 2.65 ERA on the season, to go with an 5-1 record and three saves.
The Ravens (29-24) captured their league-record sixth NE10 title this spring, and qualified for the NCAA Championship for the 15th time in program history.
For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce baseball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).