Former Wakulla, South Florida pitcher Brad Lord selected by Washington Nationals in MLB Draft

It’s not easy to reach the Major Leagues.

However, that reality hardly matters. Brad Lord is thankful for the opportunity to chase that dream.

The former Wakulla High and South Florida pitcher was selected by the Washington Nationals Monday in the 18th round (531st overall) of the 20-round Major League Amateur Draft.

Lord was utilized mainly as a starter by the Bulls this past season as a redshirt junior, going 3-7 with a 5.25 ERA. The 6-foot-3 right-hander had 60 strikeouts with 22 walks in 61 2/3 innings.

“I had a few teams reach out and had been talking a little bit,” Lord said.

“I had some hopes I would get picked. Honestly, I don’t think it’s fully set in yet. I couldn’t be more excited and thankful to get this opportunity.”

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'A dream come true'

Lord watched the MLB Draft at his Crawfordville home with family.

His mother actually saw the news of Lord's selection first on social media. That was followed a few seconds later by Lord as he watched and heard his name called on the MLB Network. The house erupted in celebration.

“A dream come true,” he said.

Lord, known for his command and feel for the strike zone, relies on his 90-plus mph fastball and a slider with sink.

He was a mainstay on Tallahassee’s American Legion Post 13 summer team from 2017-19. He helped the program, resurrected by Wes Singletary, extend its consecutive state championship streak. Post 13 is seeking its seventh consecutive state title this weekend.

“If we had a big game, Brad Lord got the ball and threw chairs,” Singletary said in reference to strike outs.

“People still ask me where the big right hander is pitching. It was assume he was going to go on and do good things. He was such a good player to coach, it really was our pleasure.”

During his senior season at Wakulla, Lord fanned 75 and walked just 12 in 48 innings. He played at Santa Fe College from 2019-20 and two seasons with the Bulls in Tampa.

Making memories

Lord’s first season at USF in 2021 was one for the scrapbook.

He helped the Bulls capture their first conference title in 26 years (American Athletic Conference Championship) and advance to an NCAA Super Regional for the first time in school history.

USF won the NCAA Gainesville Regional, beating Florida, Miami and South Alabama, before it lost at No. 2 Texas in a Super Regional.

“That was a huge accomplishment for us,” Lord said of the Bulls' conference and regional titles. “It was a buck list (item) for me to play in front of that many people.”

Lord’s journey will continue next week when he reports to the Nationals’ spring training facility in West Palm Beach. From there, he will be assigned to one of the organization’s minor league affiliates.

Lord is ready to embrace the journey.

"I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity," Lord said. "I am looking to get more polished as a pitcher and improve all of my pitches."

FSU players in the MLB DRAFT

Three players from Florida State were selected in the three-day MLB Draft that started Saturday  - pitchers Parker Messick (Cleveland) and Bryce Hubbart (Cincinnati) and infielder Brett Roberts (Miami).

Messick was was the 54th overall pick (second round), marking the third consecutive year that FSU had a player taken in the first two rounds. The slot value for that pick is $1,406,400.

Hubbart was a third-round selection (94th overall), while Roberts went to the Marlins in the 16th round.

Additionally, prized FSU freshman infielder Cameron Smith pulled his name from the draft Tuesday and announced his intention to play for the Seminoles and first-year coach Link Jarrett.

Smith was ranked 55th in Perfect Game's 2022 high-school class rankings and was a top-100 draft prospect per MLB.com. The Lake Worth native attended Palm Beach Central High and was rated the top shortstop in Florida by Perfect Game.

BRAD LORD BIO

at USF

2022: Made 14 appearances on the mound, including 13 starts…went 3-7 with a 5.25 ERA…struck out 60 batters over 61.2 IP…struck out a season-high seven batters over 5.1 IP vs. Houston (4/29).

2021: Made 17 appearances in his first season(11 starts)...went 3-5 with a 4.76 ERA and one save...struck out 63 batters over 62.1 IP.

2019-20: Attended Santa Fe College where he was coached by Johnny Wiggs

HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Keith Anderson at Wakulla High School in Crawfordville….pitched three personal no-hitters, including the first game of his senior season, and another combined no-hitter…as a senior, struck out 75 and walked just 12 in 48 innings.

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former Wakulla, USF pitcher Brad Lord drafted by Washington Nationals