Dylan DeLucia, New Smyrna Beach grad and College World Series hero, drafted by Guardians

Chris Boyle, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 College World Series, New Smyrna Beach High grad Dylan DeLucia was selected Tuesday by the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth round of the MLB Draft.

DeLucia, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed starting pitcher, became a program legend in his lone season at Ole Miss. He struck out 17 batters in two starts and allowed just one earned run in 16⅓ innings at the CWS, tossing a complete-game shutout in the Rebels' national semifinal victory over Arkansas.

"I'm just excited to move on to the next step," DeLucia told The News-Journal in a phone interview. "Ole Miss was my home, and now I've got one with the Cleveland Guardians. I'm very excited to start my pro career.

"It didn't matter when I went. I know I've got what it takes to get to the big stage."

Mississippi pitcher Dylan DeLucia (44) throws a pitch against Arkansas in the first inning during an NCAA College World Series baseball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)
Mississippi pitcher Dylan DeLucia (44) throws a pitch against Arkansas in the first inning during an NCAA College World Series baseball game Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)

Across the full season, DeLucia posted an 8-2 record with a 3.68 ERA, 105 strikeouts and 26 walks allowed in 95⅓ innings. Prior to committing to Ole Miss, DeLucia spent two seasons at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.

DeLucia said he spoke with cross-checkers and scouting directors within the Guardians organization in Zoom calls following the conclusion of the College World Series, though he did not participate in any formal workouts.

The No. 181 pick in the MLB Draft has a slot value of $284,000, though it's possible DeLucia will sign for below slot as a fourth-year college junior.

Draft analyst Jim Callis said DeLucia can "really, really pitch" and will "never have to buy a drink the rest of his life in Oxford" during MLB.com's live coverage.

"The fastball plays up — 89-95 (mph) — with induced vertical break, and he commands it well," Callis said. "Flashes a solid slider, and an average changeup."

This marks the second time in three years Cleveland has picked a former Volusia County pitching phenom, taking Logan Allen in the second round of the 2020 draft and handing him a reported signing bonus of $1.1 million.

Allen has already progressed to Triple-A, winning 14 of his 19 career decisions to date in the minor leagues.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: MLB draft: Cleveland Guardians select Ole Miss pitcher, New Smyrna Beach grad Dylan DeLucia in sixth round