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Virginia senior right handed pitcher Griff McGarry was selected number 145th overall in the 5th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. He’s Virginia’s 3rd player selected in this draft.
5 (145): @Phillies select Virginia (VA) P Griff McGarry. https://t.co/B5xEfHXzYr #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) July 12, 2021
McGarry had a tale of two seasons in 2021. He struggled very early and lost his spot in the starting rotation in early April, but re-emerged during the Columbia Regional and was a star of the Hoos’ postseason run. It all started against Old Dominion when he pitched 3.1 innings but struck out eight batters. He was clearly bothered by an injury to his finger which left a blood stain all down his right thigh. Then against Dallas Baptist in the Super Regional, he was spectacular once again. This time he was able to go seven innings of shutout ball while striking out ten Patriots and leading Virginia to a 4-0 win. Finally, his effort against Mississippi State in the College World Series may have been his best. He carried a no-hitter through seven innings and was completely dominant.
For his career, he fanned 186 batters, a per nine innings rate of 12.49. His success didn’t translate in the win/loss column, but he was one of Virginia’s best pitchers over the last four years.
McGarry was previously drafted in the 31st Round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. But unlike four years ago the senior will be eager to get on with professional baseball career.