Right-handed pitcher Ryan Cardona, who completed his junior year at Marist in 2021, was selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on July 13. Cardona was chosen by the Cincinnati Reds in the 19th round with the 570th overall selection.
"We are really happy for and proud of Ryan," Marist Head Coach Chris Tracz said. "He's dedicated himself to developing with hard work and perseverance. Going back to the recruiting process, this was a goal of his. To see him achieve it is personally gratifying, knowing how much it means to him."
In his three seasons with the Red Foxes, Cardona struck out 105 in 91.2 innings. In his freshman year in 2019, Cardona led Marist in saves (five) and appearances (21) as he was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. Over the last two seasons, he transitioned to the starting rotations and posted a cumulative earned run average of 3.20. In this span, he struck out 54 in 50.2 innings.
Cardona is the 20th Red Fox to be selected in the draft, and ninth in Tracz's tenure as head coach.
Here is the full list Marist baseball's draftees:
Marist Baseball MLB Draftees
1997
Jorge Santiago - New York Mets (32nd round, 960th selection)
Mike Speckhardt - St. Louis Cardinals (34th round, 1,034th selection)
1999
Kevin Olore - Seattle Mariners (20th round, 605th selection)
2001
Tim Bittner - Chicago White Sox (10th round, 313th selection)
2002
Anthony Bocchino - Pittsburgh Pirates (11th round, 313th selection)
Steve O'Sullivan - Chicago Cubs (23rd round, 693rd selection)
2003
Chuck Bechtel* - San Diego Padres (15th round, 431st selection)
Kevin Ool - Boston Red Sox (16th round, 474th selection)
Chris Homer - Detroit Tigers (24th round, 700th selection)
John McGorty - Detroit Tigers (36th round, 1,060th selection)
2009
Jacob Wiley - Cincinnati Reds (41st round, 1,229th selection)
2011
Michael Gallic - San Diego Padres (18th round, 563rd selection)
Jon Schwind - Pittsburgh Pirates (41st round, 1,232th selection)
Ricky Pacione - Los Angeles Angels (48th round, 1,455th selection)
Eric Alessio - Cincinnati Reds (49th round, 1,495th selection)
2013
Kevin McCarthy - Kansas City Royals** (16th round, 474th selection)
Zach Shank - Seattle Mariners (28th round, 837th selection)
2015
Steve Laurino - Baltimore Orioles (25th round, 763rd selection)
2017
Scott Boches - Seattle Mariners (30th round, 903rd selection)
2021
Ryan Cardona – Cincinnati Reds (19th round, 570th selection)
* - Bechtel was also chosen by the Padres in the 2002 Draft (25th round, 745th selection)
** - Has reached the major leagues