Felician's L.T. Struble Selected by New York Mets in 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft
Courtesy of Felician University Athletics
RUTHERFORD, N.J. (June 6, 2019) – Felician University fifth-year senior L.T. Struble (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) was chosen in the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday. Struble is the sixth player to be drafted from Felician in the 20-year history of the Golden Falcon program.
Wednesday was the third and final day of the draft, with rounds 11-40 taking place. Struble was chosen in the 29th round by the New York Mets. He was the 868th overall selection.
Struble was playing in his final season of college eligibility. Last month, he received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Felician. He joins the following players as Felician athletes to be selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft: Andre Randolph (2003), Jerry Vasto and Scott De Jong (2014), and Matt Blandino and Brennan Price (2016). A complete list of former Golden Falcons to sign professional baseball contracts can be viewed at http://felicianathletics.com/sports/bsb/archive/pros.
In 2019, Struble helped lead Felician (31-23, 24-8 CACC) to the regular-season championship of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) South Division and to its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance. Playing primarily shortstop and batting leadoff, Struble set program single-season records for walks (39) and stolen bases (42). In 53 games, he batted .361 with seven doubles, four triples, four home runs, 62 runs scored and a .468 on-base percentage.
"L.T. is one of the most gifted and explosive players I've ever had the chance to coach," said Golden Falcon 16th-year head coach Chris Langan. "He always understood his role on our team. He will be a catalyst for any offense he's a part of."
Struble led the NCAA Division II East Region in steals. He finished second in the CACC in runs and sixth with 70 hits. He was named Second Team All-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Struble was a two-time NJCAA All-American for Camden County College, then sat out the 2017 season while attending Division-I national champion Coastal Carolina University before transferring to Felician.
"The Mets called right as the pick was announced," Struble said. "It's hard to describe that feeling. I had friends from school over at the time, and for the rest of the night, other friends and family came to visit. I wouldn't have had it any other way than to share the moment with the people that have been with me throughout this journey."
During his two years with Felician, Struble has appeared at second base, center field, and even pitched in addition to playing shortstop. When announcing his selection, the Mets introduced him as a center fielder.
"They told me I'll be playing everywhere, and I'll play anywhere they ask," Struble said. "My versatility as an athlete can help me stay on the field by playing several positions. I played more college baseball than most guys that get drafted, and I hope that experience can help me be the best player possible for the Mets organization."
In 108 games as a Golden Falcon, Struble garnered 145 hits, scored 122 runs and stole 70 bases. Felician went 61-48 in that time, including 49-15 in regular-season CACC play. Struble expects to sign a contract and learn his first professional assignment on Friday.
"The Mets picked up a tremendous talent with great passion for the game of baseball," Langan said. "I couldn't be happier for L.T. and his family."
ABOUT THE CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 14 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Concordia (N.Y.) College, Dominican (N.Y.) College, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University), Nyack College, Post University of Waterbury, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.