Sports
Angels Select Princeton University Pitcher In 2019 MLB Draft
Ryan Smith, a left-handed pitcher from New York, was selected in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Angels.
PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University senior Ryan Smith is heading west. The 2019 Major League Baseball Draft was held this week, and Smith was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 18th round. Smith, originally of Garden City, NY, was the 541st overall pick.
Smith, a pitcher who stands 5’11” and weighs 185 pounds, hits and throws with his left hand. He led the Tigers in strikeouts with 76, five wins and a 3.45 ERA, according to the university’s website.
The 76 strikeouts are the seventh most a Princeton pitcher has ever thrown in a single season. He’s fanned 176 batters for his career, tied for ninth in Princeton history. He pitched a no-hitter in Princeton’s season-opening win at George Mason, striking out 10 batters.
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As a sophomore, his 21 appearances and five saves lead the Tigers. It is the second straight year Princeton had a player drafted into the major leagues, as Ben Gross was drafted by the Houston Astros last season.
18 (541): @Angels select Princeton (NJ) P Ryan Smith. https://t.co/A32kLprFCL #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) June 5, 2019
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