Bethune-Cookman pitcher scooped up by Marlins

Courtesy: Bethune-Cookman Athletics

MIAMI, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University right-handed pitcher Anthony Maldonado was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 11th round, pick 321 overall, Wednesday in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Amateur Draft.

Maldonado was recently named Second Team All-MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and tied for the league lead with 97 strikeouts. He went 4-5 with a team-best 81.1 innings in 13 starts and two complete games. His 10.73 strikeouts per-game led BCU starters. The junior from West Palm Beach, Fla., owned a 3.76 ERA and .207 opponents’ average. Maldonado earned his third postseason All-MEAC award.

Over his three seasons as a starter, he earned three all-conference honors and was the 2018 MEAC Pitcher of the Year. From 2017-19, he went 18-11 with a 3.22 ERA over 231.2 innings. Maldonado had six complete games and three shutouts in 39 starts. He registered over a strikeout an innings with 232, including his 97 this spring. His 10.73 K/9 was a career-best.

He is the first Wildcat drafted since shortstop Demetrius Sims was also picked by the Marlins in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, and the highest BCU pitcher selected in a decade since the Milwaukee Brewers chose Hiram Burgos in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft.