University of Delaware right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio has been selected by the New York Yankees in the 19th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.

The selection comes just weeks after the Blue Hens made a spirited post-season run in which they captured the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament title and battled to the end in two tough setbacks to nationally-ranked Texas Tech and Arizona at the NCAA Regionals in Lubbock, Texas.

"Today is a dream come true," said Marinaccio. "Since I was a kid, I've wanted to play professional baseball, and today I am one step closer to achieving that dream. I want to thank all of my teammates, (pitching) coach Troy (O'Neal), coach (Andrew) Amaro, coach (Dan) Hammer and (head) coach (Jim) Sherman. I will always consider myself a Blue Hen and will continue to follow the program." 

Marinaccio, who recently completed his redshirt junior season for the Blue Hens, compiled a 4-3 record in 22 appearances (eight starts) with an ERA of 2.09, a mark that led the team and currently ranks 28th among all NCAA Division I pitchers. He also struck out 68 batters in 64.2 innings.

"We are all really happy for Ronnie," said Sherman. "Ron has worked his tail off to get this opportunity, and today is the start of the return on that hard work. He showed down the stretch of the season that he was a true pro prospect, both at CAA tournament and against No. 5 Texas Tech in a tough environment. Watching Ron and coaching him the last four years, I see a great resemblance to (current Pittsburgh Pirate) Chad Kuhl. The whole Blue Hens baseball family wishes Ronnie nothing but the best."

Marinaccio, who was selected with the 572nd overall pick, also joins former UD right-handed pitcher Chad Martin in the Yankees organization. Martin was selected in the 30th round following the 2015 season and played with the Class A short-season club in Staten Island in 2016.

A CAA second team selection last month, Marinaccio was also named to the CAA All-Tournament team thanks to his complete game two-hit shutout against College of Charleston.

In addition to his CAA accolades, Marinaccio was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-East second team, one of four Blue Hen players honored.

Marinaccio, a criminal justice major at UD, is the 44th MLB draft pick in program history, is the 10th Blue Hen to be selected by the Yankees, and is the highest drafted player for the Blue Hens since the 2014 season when Jimmy Yezzo was selected in the seventh round, Kuhl was picked in the ninth round, pitcher Matt Soren was picked in the 19th round and Nick Ferdinand was selected in the 35th round.