A Milestone in Queens
Liam O'Leary’s name lit up the draft board on Tuesday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates chose him with the 15th overall pick in the 15th round of the 2026 MLB Draft. The selection marks the first time a St. John’s pitcher has been taken by the Pirates since Michael LoPresti in 2018, and it joins a short list of Red Storm arms that have reached the major leagues through the draft.
O'Leary capped his rookie season with a 8‑5 record, a 3.64 earned‑run average and 78 strikeouts in 108.2 innings across 17 starts. He limited opponents to a .248 batting average and threw three complete games, tops in the Big East and fifth nationally. His 78 strikeouts rank among the most in a single season in program history.
The right‑hander’s dominance helped the Red Storm sweep all seven of their Big East series, finishing the conference slate 7‑1. His efforts earned him a unanimous spot on the All‑Big East First Team, a place on the All‑Big East Tournament Team and a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings All‑Region First Team. He also collected three Big East Weekly Honor Roll selections and twice was named Big East Pitcher of the Week.
A Pipeline of Talent
St. John’s has produced 135 draft selections and dozens of undrafted free agents in its history, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence. Over the past decade, the university has sent a steady stream of pitchers to the professional ranks, including Sean Hagan, who set the program’s single‑season innings record in 2012, and Adam Agresti, who was drafted alongside O'Leary this year.
Coach Mike Hampton, who wrapped up a 25‑year tenure this season, oversaw the development of 63 players who earned draft picks and 15 who signed professional contracts as undrafted free agents. Hampton’s long‑term guidance has helped shape the careers of pitchers like O'Leary, who now steps into the Pirates’ system.
O'Leary’s signing also places him alongside teammate Adam Agresti, marking the first time two St. John’s players have been drafted in the same season since 2019. The duo joins a lineage that includes Michael LoPresti, who was selected by the Pirates in 2018, illustrating the program’s growing connection to Pittsburgh.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates will assign O'Leary to a development program that emphasizes pitch refinement and workload management as he transitions to professional play. If his debut performance is any indication, the right‑hander could quickly rise through the minor‑league ranks, adding depth to a pitching staff that has long relied on home‑grown talent.
For St. John’s, the draft selection underscores the continued relevance of the program in the Northeast baseball landscape. As the university celebrates another milestone, fans will watch closely to see how O'Leary and Agresti develop under the Pirates’ organization.