Xavier University Athletics
Dan Rizzie Selected in 13th Round of MLB Draft by New York Mets
06.11.16 | Baseball
Senior was one of best catchers in Xavier history, led team with .317 batting average
CINCINNATI - Senior catcher Dan Rizzie was selected in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Saturday, going in the 13th round to the New York Mets.
With his selection, Rizzie becomes the 11th MLB Draft pick since 2005 under head coach Scott Googins. Xavier has now had at least one player drafted in each of the last three years and 10 of the last 12 years.
"I'm just really excited to be able to join such a great organization and want to thank the Mets for the opportunity," said Rizzie. "I was even more excited when I heard Andre [Jernigan] got taken too."
After missing most of his junior season with a hand injury, the Orland Park, Ill. native came back strong and led the Musketeers with a .317 batting average in 2016. He earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors in 2016 and caught fire down the stretch, hitting .383 (36-for-94) as XU went 18-4 over its last 22 games. Rizzie's hot bat helped lead XU to a sweep of the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles for the first time in school history.
In seven postseason games this year, Rizzie hit .483 (14-for-29) with eight runs scored and eight RBI.
In the BIG EAST Championship, he had a career best 5-for-5 night against Creighton and was named the BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player. In three games at the conference tourney, he hit .571 (8-for-14) with four runs scored and six RBI as XU went 3-0.
One of the best catchers in school history, Rizzie was named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List in each of the last three seasons. An excellent defensive catcher, he gunned down 58 percent of attempted basestealers in 2016 (22-for-38).
He was at his best during two postseason runs, earning NCAA All-Region honors twice in his career.
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With his selection, Rizzie becomes the 11th MLB Draft pick since 2005 under head coach Scott Googins. Xavier has now had at least one player drafted in each of the last three years and 10 of the last 12 years.
"I'm just really excited to be able to join such a great organization and want to thank the Mets for the opportunity," said Rizzie. "I was even more excited when I heard Andre [Jernigan] got taken too."
After missing most of his junior season with a hand injury, the Orland Park, Ill. native came back strong and led the Musketeers with a .317 batting average in 2016. He earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors in 2016 and caught fire down the stretch, hitting .383 (36-for-94) as XU went 18-4 over its last 22 games. Rizzie's hot bat helped lead XU to a sweep of the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles for the first time in school history.
In seven postseason games this year, Rizzie hit .483 (14-for-29) with eight runs scored and eight RBI.
In the BIG EAST Championship, he had a career best 5-for-5 night against Creighton and was named the BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player. In three games at the conference tourney, he hit .571 (8-for-14) with four runs scored and six RBI as XU went 3-0.
One of the best catchers in school history, Rizzie was named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List in each of the last three seasons. An excellent defensive catcher, he gunned down 58 percent of attempted basestealers in 2016 (22-for-38).
He was at his best during two postseason runs, earning NCAA All-Region honors twice in his career.
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HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball vs. UConn (BIG EAST Tournament)
Thursday, May 22
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Penn State (Game 3)
Saturday, May 17
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Creighton (Game Three)
Sunday, May 11
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Creighton (Game 2)
Sunday, May 11