NEW ORLEANS – The Los Angeles Dodgers selected 2018 Southland Conference first team honoree and University of New Orleans ace
Bryan Warzek in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft Tuesday. Warzek led the conference with 127 strikeouts this season and went 5-2 in 95.2 innings with a 2.82 ERA.
"It is a surreal feeling," said Warzek. "I want to thank my coaches, teammates, family and friends. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to play for New Orleans. To be drafted by an amazing organization is a blessing."
Warzek becomes just the second Privateer to be drafted by the Dodgers, joining
Brian Traxler (1988). He is the 89
th UNO student-athlete to be drafted and the second in as many years, joining teammate
Shawn Semple, who was selected in the 11
th round last season by the New York Yankees.
A Clifton Park, New York native, he is the 17
th highest drafted Privateer and the first selected prior to the 10
th round since
Johnny Giovotella (second round in 2008; Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2011.
"We are extremely excited for the opportunity Bryan has been presented with," said head coach
Blake Dean. "The Dodgers are a first-class organization with a rich history. I witnessed the growth of a young man who came in and struggled as a freshman but worked tirelessly to turn himself into one of the best pitchers to ever wear Privateers across his chest. His future is bright, and we appreciate his commitment to our program, university and the city of New Orleans."
Against Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi March 26, Warzek fanned 16 in 8.0 shutout innings. The 16 punchouts landed one shy of tying a program high, which was reached twice, last in 2004 (
Thomas Diamond).
Trading the Silver and Blue for the Dodger Blue, the southpaw's 127 strikeouts were fourth most in a single season and 13
th in the country. For his career, Warzek went 15-8 with 260 career strikeouts, fifth most in program history.
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