June 6, 2012

Tim Prister
IrishIllustrated.com Senior Editor

Senior righthander Will Hudgins and senior lefthander Steve Sabatino became the second and third Irish players selected in the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft Wednesday.

The Washington Nationals tabbed Hudgins, the No. 1 pitcher in the Irish rotation in ’12, in the 22nd round. Sabatino, who worked out of the bullpen for the Irish, was a 26th round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hudgins and Sabatino join junior catcher Joe Hudson, who was a sixth-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds on the first day of the draft Monday. Hudson is expected to bypass his final year of eligibility with the Irish and sign with the Reds.

Hudgins, a second-team all-Big East selection, went 5-3 with a 2.06 earned run average in 2012. He struck out 90 batters in 96 1/3 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .233 batting average. Prior to the ’12 season, all 63 of his appearances had come out of the bullpen.

“It’s always great to see a player’s hard work and dedication pay off,” said second-year Irish head coach Mik Aoki. “Will made the transition from a middle-to-late-inning reliever to starting pitcher appear to be routine, but it is far from it. He put together about as consistent and productive a season as a coach could ever ask for from a starting pitcher. I’m excited for him to get an opportunity to pitch at the next level.”

Sabatino pitched in 49 games for the Irish, including 20 starts. He posted a 6-7 career mark with a 5.01 earned run average. He struck out 120 in 140 innings pitched.

After missing the entire ’11 season, he pitched in 27 games in ’12, striking out 34 in 35 2/3 innings. His ERA for the season was 5.05, but he recorded a 2.08 mark over his final 22 outings with 23 strikeouts.

“Steve is another example of a player that earned his draft selection,” Aoki said. “He missed an entire season with Tommy John, but worked his tail off to be ready this season. Steve struggled early this season with his command, but kept at it and really helped us down the stretch of the season.”

The selection of Hudson, Hudgins and Sabatino marks the 15th time in the last 18 MLB drafts that the Irish have had at least three players chosen.

Large selection without the Bookstore sticker shock

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