The dream season for Hofstra LHP John Rooney continues.
The 6’5″ southpaw was selected in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round (104th overall). The last Hofstra player selected in the draft was Bryan Verbitsky in 2013 by the San Diego Padres–also in the third round.
Rooney was a critical piece for the Pride this season as they qualified for the CAA postseason for the first time since 2012. He was named CAA Pitcher of the Year. He lights-out from day one; compiling a record of 8-2, with an ERA of 1.23 with 108 strikeouts over 95.0 IP. He held opposing batters to a .166 AVG and combined on a no-hitter with Seamus Brazill against Mount St. Mary’s on March 10. He also set a program record with 12 pick offs.
Tremendous outing by John Rooney tonight who showed he can dig deep and shut down a top team pic.twitter.com/LR3ILP7XPX
— Vinny Messana (@V_Messana) March 24, 2018
Perhaps most impressively, he didn’t allow an earned run over 49.1 IP. during one stretch. Rooney is known for his low-key demeanor and he is not easily fazed on the mound.
Assuming he will sign, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have three players from Long Island colleges in their minor league organization; Shea Spitzbarth (Molloy) and Dan Jagiello (LIU Post) being the other two.
Hofstra will also have the challenge of replacing his void in the rotation in 2019.
