Northwestern University Athletics
Nick Paciorek Selected by New York Yankees in MLB Draft
6/4/2019 4:24:00 PM | Baseball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern junior Nick Paciorek was selected by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the 2019 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.
After spending the majority of his rookie campaign and sophomore season as a position player, Paciorek transitioned to the bullpen in 2019 for his first full season as a pitcher. The hard-throwing righty made 20 appearances to throw 26.2 innings and led the team in ERA (3.37), strikeouts (44) and saves (three). The Sherman Oaks, California, native held opposing batters to a .196 batting average.
"This is a great day for Nick and his family," said head coach Spencer Allen. "Nick worked really hard during his time here at Northwestern and I am extremely proud of him. His willingness to convert and change positions is truly a great story. Nick is an outstanding young man and I feel honored to have the opportunity to have coached him."
Matt Portland was the last Northwestern player taken in the MLB First-Year Player Draft in 2015. Portland went in the 17th round to the Kansas City Royals. Paciorek's seventh-round selection is the highest for a Northwestern player since Luke Farrell went to the Royals in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.
Paciorek is the nephew of former major leaguer and color commentator Tom Paciorek, who spent 18 seasons with six different MLB organizations before transitioning to a broadcast role.
After spending the majority of his rookie campaign and sophomore season as a position player, Paciorek transitioned to the bullpen in 2019 for his first full season as a pitcher. The hard-throwing righty made 20 appearances to throw 26.2 innings and led the team in ERA (3.37), strikeouts (44) and saves (three). The Sherman Oaks, California, native held opposing batters to a .196 batting average.
"This is a great day for Nick and his family," said head coach Spencer Allen. "Nick worked really hard during his time here at Northwestern and I am extremely proud of him. His willingness to convert and change positions is truly a great story. Nick is an outstanding young man and I feel honored to have the opportunity to have coached him."
Matt Portland was the last Northwestern player taken in the MLB First-Year Player Draft in 2015. Portland went in the 17th round to the Kansas City Royals. Paciorek's seventh-round selection is the highest for a Northwestern player since Luke Farrell went to the Royals in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.
Paciorek is the nephew of former major leaguer and color commentator Tom Paciorek, who spent 18 seasons with six different MLB organizations before transitioning to a broadcast role.
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