Padres select Pacchioli in tenth round of MLB draft
6/9/2015 7:12:00 PM | Baseball
MLB Draft Tracker | San Diego Padres
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh baseball's Justin Pacchioli has been drafted in the tenth round (297th overall) by the San Diego Padres in the MLB first-year player draft Tuesday evening. A three-time All-Patriot League selection, Pacchioli becomes the first Mountain Hawk drafted since Matt McBride in 2006.
"It's an absolute dream come true," said Pacchioli. "I've been playing baseball since I was little and working to get to that next level every day. It's such a dream come true to get this opportunity and be drafted and I can't wait to help the Padres organization work towards their goals."
Pacchioli finished his Lehigh career as a three-time All Patriot League selection, including a two-time first team member and 2015 unanimous first team selection. The centerfielder hit .342 throughout his senior season with a .485 on-base percentage that ranks 16th in Division I. Pacchioli set new Lehigh career (69) and single-season (31) stolen base records during his 2015 campaign and ranks 14th in the country in stolen bases per game (0.58).
The Easton, Pa. native was the Patriot League batting average leader in both his sophomore and junior seasons and finished his time as a Mountain Hawk with a .344 career batting average that ranks fifth all-time in the Lehigh record books. He recorded 185 hits throughout his career in addition to scoring 112 runs and tallying a .449 career on-base percentage.
"Justin has worked so hard for this day and so we're excited for him and proud of him that he gets this opportunity," said head coach Sean Leary. "The round that he was picked in shows the level of respect that he was worked to deserve and we, as a program, couldn't be happier for him."
"Coach Leary has been a second father to me and I can't thank him and the coaching staff enough," said Pacchioli. "He's always been and big believer in me and has made me a better person both on and off the field. Coach Bisco played with my dad and he's another person who really helped get me to where I am today,
"I can't thank my teammates enough for all of their support," continued Pacchioli. "I've built such a bond with everyone at Lehigh and they will always have a huge place in my life. Everyone at Lehigh has meant so much to me."
Pacchioli helped Lehigh to back-to-back Patriot League Championship appearances in 2014 and 2015, including the program's second league title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015.
The MLB first-year player draft continues Wednesday at noon with rounds 11 through 40.
Lehigh in the Major League Baseball draft
*drafted out of high school prior to enrolling at Lehigh, but did not sign and came to LU
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh baseball's Justin Pacchioli has been drafted in the tenth round (297th overall) by the San Diego Padres in the MLB first-year player draft Tuesday evening. A three-time All-Patriot League selection, Pacchioli becomes the first Mountain Hawk drafted since Matt McBride in 2006.
"It's an absolute dream come true," said Pacchioli. "I've been playing baseball since I was little and working to get to that next level every day. It's such a dream come true to get this opportunity and be drafted and I can't wait to help the Padres organization work towards their goals."
Pacchioli finished his Lehigh career as a three-time All Patriot League selection, including a two-time first team member and 2015 unanimous first team selection. The centerfielder hit .342 throughout his senior season with a .485 on-base percentage that ranks 16th in Division I. Pacchioli set new Lehigh career (69) and single-season (31) stolen base records during his 2015 campaign and ranks 14th in the country in stolen bases per game (0.58).
The Easton, Pa. native was the Patriot League batting average leader in both his sophomore and junior seasons and finished his time as a Mountain Hawk with a .344 career batting average that ranks fifth all-time in the Lehigh record books. He recorded 185 hits throughout his career in addition to scoring 112 runs and tallying a .449 career on-base percentage.
"Justin has worked so hard for this day and so we're excited for him and proud of him that he gets this opportunity," said head coach Sean Leary. "The round that he was picked in shows the level of respect that he was worked to deserve and we, as a program, couldn't be happier for him."
"Coach Leary has been a second father to me and I can't thank him and the coaching staff enough," said Pacchioli. "He's always been and big believer in me and has made me a better person both on and off the field. Coach Bisco played with my dad and he's another person who really helped get me to where I am today,
"I can't thank my teammates enough for all of their support," continued Pacchioli. "I've built such a bond with everyone at Lehigh and they will always have a huge place in my life. Everyone at Lehigh has meant so much to me."
Pacchioli helped Lehigh to back-to-back Patriot League Championship appearances in 2014 and 2015, including the program's second league title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015.
The MLB first-year player draft continues Wednesday at noon with rounds 11 through 40.
Lehigh in the Major League Baseball draft
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
| 1971 | Rich Revta | C | Texas Rangers |
| 1973 | Frank Zawatski | C | San Francisco Giants |
| 1975 | Paul Hartzell | P | California Angels |
| 1976 | Joe Carroll | OF | Texas Rangers |
| 1989 | Dave Norwood | P | Cleveland Indians |
| 1997 | Ben Talbott | 3B | Anaheim Angels |
| 2002 | Jack Lyons* | P | Montreal Expos |
| 2006 | Matt McBride | C | Cleveland Indians |
| 2015 | Justin Pacchioli | CF | San Diego Padres |
Players Mentioned
OF
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