Logan Harasta selected In 7th round of MLB Draft

Courtesy of UBBulls.com

BUFFALO, NY – For the sixth straight season, the University at Buffalo baseball team saw one of their own selected in the Major League Baseball Draft as junior right-handed pitcher Logan Harasta was selected in the 7^thround of the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. Harasta (Webster Thomas) becomes the second highest UB player selected in the MLB Draft since 2000 as Tom Murphy was taken in the 3^rd round by the Colorado Rockies in 2012.

With his selection in the 7^th round on Tuesday, Harasta becomes the highest drafted UB pitcher since 1983 when Peter Grimm was taken in the 3^rd round by the Cincinnati Reds. He also becomes the fourth pitcher and ninth player overall to be drafted since Ron Torgalski took over the reins of the program in 2006. The Bulls have had a total of 14 players sign professional contracts since 2005.

“I am really happy for Logan,” stated UB head coach Ron Torgalski. “At 6-7 and 240 pounds with a fastball that runs up to 97 MPH, he has a chance to be playing baseball for a very long time. It is really great to see all of his hard work and dedication pay off with his selection in the draft.”

The flamethrower had the best season of his career on the mound this past season as he was able to produce a career-high six saves as he moved into the closer role that was left voided after Mike Kaelin was drafted by the Angels following the 2016 campaign. Harasta closed out his impressive junior campaign appearing in 21 games while owning a 1-3 record to go along with a solid 3.63 ERA. The 6-7 power pitcher delivered 50 strikeouts in just 34.2 innings of work as he produced an astonishing 12.98 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, ranking sixth in the NCAA this season. He was also able to hold opposing batters to just a .260 batting average against on the season.

For his career, Harasta collected three wins and nine saves which ranks fourth in program history for saves in a career. After starting his career as a starting pitcher, Harasta moved to the bullpen and was dominant as he struck out 120 batters through 122.1 innings pitched while also posting a respectable 4.71 ERA.

Harasta was the second MAC player selected in the 2017 MLB Draft as Kent State left-handed pitcher Jake Latz was taken in the 5^th round by the Texas Rangers. The righty was one of three MAC players selected inside the top-10 rounds of the draft.