Pic via Toledo Athletics
With the 509th overall pick during round 17 of the 2022 MLB Draft, the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Connor Brandon from the University of Toledo (OH). He is a 6’3”, 210 lb draft-eligible sophomore from Hebron, Ohio.
Brandon was 7-5 in 2022 with a 4.76 ERA. He gave up 40 earned runs, walked 42, and struck out 88 in 75.2 innings pitched. He also had one save. His 88 strikeouts ranked fourth in the MAC and he was sixth in ERA.
He earned second-team all-MAC, and academic all-MAC. He had two outings with 10 or more strikeouts and nine outings where he lasted at least five innings.
With their 539th overall pick during round 18, the Mets selected another right-handed relief pitcher, Chris Santiago from St. Mary’s College (CA). He is a 6’2”, 215 lb junior from Walnut Creek, CA.
Santiago was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 2022. He gave up 10 earned runs, walked nine, and struck out 20 in 20 innings pitched for St. Mary’s.
Along with pitching, Santiago can also succeed at the plate and in the infield. In 2021 as a sophomore, he appeared in 37 games and made 27 starts, including at third base and first base. He had 17 hits in 2021, including four extra base hits, a home run, and 10 runs scored. He earned WCC All-Academic honorable mention in 2021 as well.
