University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Ben Barnhart - UMass Athletics
New York Mets Select Justin Lasko in MLB First-Year Draft
June 05, 2019 | Baseball
Massachusetts right-hander becomes 57th Minuteman all-time to be picked
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts alumnus and right-handed pitcher Justin Lasko, a native of Stratford, Connecticut, has been selected by the New York Mets in the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft, the organization announced on Wednesday. Lasko was taken in the 30th round with the 898th overall pick.
Lasko is the 57th Minuteman to be drafted all-time and the first since 2014.
Lasko, a four-year member of the squad and three-year ace, wrapped up his UMass career this past Spring with a 3.47 ERA and 15-18 record. He graduated in possession of multiple program records, including career starts (48), innings pitched (311.1) and strikeouts (247).
In the 2019 regular season, Lasko led the Atlantic 10 Conference in innings pitched (88.1), complete games (4) and shutouts (2) plus ranked tied for fifth with 82 strikeouts. Lasko had seven quality starts, including the only recorded Maddux in the league–a 96-pitch, four-hit shutout of George Washington on April 12. Lasko also picked up A-10 Pitcher of the Week laurels on March 4.
A sport management major, Lasko rounded out his time in the classroom with a 3.64 cumulative grade-point average and was honored by UMass Athletics with the Spring 2019 Scholar-Athlete Award. Following his senior season, he was tabbed to the A-10 All-Academic Team.
Beyond UMass, Lasko spent the Summer of 2017 and 2018 in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. His first campaign on the Cape saw Lasko as a member of the Chatham Anglers, before he suited up for the Bourne Braves in 2018. With Bourne, he led the league in innings pitched (40.2), was tied for most starts (8) and fourth in ERA (3.76). Lasko was named a West Division All-Star and, at summer's end, was a co-recipient of the John Claffey Award, given to the top Cape League prospect either from New England or playing college baseball in the region.
For the latest news and updates around UMass baseball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassBaseball.
Lasko is the 57th Minuteman to be drafted all-time and the first since 2014.
Lasko, a four-year member of the squad and three-year ace, wrapped up his UMass career this past Spring with a 3.47 ERA and 15-18 record. He graduated in possession of multiple program records, including career starts (48), innings pitched (311.1) and strikeouts (247).
In the 2019 regular season, Lasko led the Atlantic 10 Conference in innings pitched (88.1), complete games (4) and shutouts (2) plus ranked tied for fifth with 82 strikeouts. Lasko had seven quality starts, including the only recorded Maddux in the league–a 96-pitch, four-hit shutout of George Washington on April 12. Lasko also picked up A-10 Pitcher of the Week laurels on March 4.
A sport management major, Lasko rounded out his time in the classroom with a 3.64 cumulative grade-point average and was honored by UMass Athletics with the Spring 2019 Scholar-Athlete Award. Following his senior season, he was tabbed to the A-10 All-Academic Team.
Beyond UMass, Lasko spent the Summer of 2017 and 2018 in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. His first campaign on the Cape saw Lasko as a member of the Chatham Anglers, before he suited up for the Bourne Braves in 2018. With Bourne, he led the league in innings pitched (40.2), was tied for most starts (8) and fourth in ERA (3.76). Lasko was named a West Division All-Star and, at summer's end, was a co-recipient of the John Claffey Award, given to the top Cape League prospect either from New England or playing college baseball in the region.
For the latest news and updates around UMass baseball, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UMassBaseball.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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