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USF baseball redshirt junior RHP Carson Ragsdale was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round (116 overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft.
With their 4th-round pick (No. 116 overall) of the 2020 #MLBDraft, the #Phillies select @USFBaseball RHP Carson Ragsdale, No. 169 on the Top 200 Draft Prospects list: https://t.co/1voVsF6Bkf
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 12, 2020
Watch live: https://t.co/cmm19LFrdg pic.twitter.com/OGRn2K7qe5
The 6’8’ righty from Wesley Chapel impressed scouts this season in just four starts due to COVID-19 cutting the 2020 season short. Ragsdale saved his best performance for last it seems as he struck out 10 batters over four innings in a 2-1 loss at Florida on March 8.
Ragsdale showed good command in 2020 with a 37:7 K:B ratio in 19 innings, while using a fastball that’s been clocked between 91-95, and a devastating 12-6 curveball.
Ragsdale missed the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery, but was able to bounce back with a team-best 2.84 ERA among pitchers with at least 15 IP. Prior to the cancellation of the 2020 season, Ragsdale was set to become the Friday night starter after spending his first four starts as the Sunday starter.
He becomes the 13th pitcher drafted under head coach (and former pitching coach) Billy Mohl since 2015.
Ragsdale combined to throw a no-hitter in 2018 versus Army with current Tampa Bay Rays LHP, and former first round pick Shane McClanahan. He tossed the final three innings, and struck out seven on the way to a 12-0 win.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 MLB Draft is only five rounds. The draft is typically 40 rounds.