A wave of former Saint Joseph's University baseball standouts is reshaping the landscape of professional baseball, with more than a dozen alumni currently active across the minor and major leagues. The program's reputation for player development has translated into a steady stream of talent reaching the highest levels of the sport.
The 2026 Atlantic 10 regular season champions saw three of their members selected in the recent MLB Draft, underscoring the conference's growing influence. Andrew Gaines earned a 10th‑round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, Christian Coppola was chosen in the 12th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Duke McCarron went in the 17th round to the Miami Marlins.
Head coach Fritz Hamburg, now in his tenth season, has overseen the drafting of 17 players during his tenure, a testament to his recruiting and coaching acumen. The draft successes are complemented by rapid ascents through the minor league system for several alumni.
From Draft Day to the Big Leagues
Ryan Cesarini's promotion to the Double‑A Akron RubberDucks marks a significant milestone in the Cleveland Guardians organization, while Luke Gabrysh and Matt McShane compete at the High‑A level with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, respectively. Ryan Piccolo, meanwhile, is navigating the Single‑A Inland Empire 66ers within the Seattle Mariners system.
The program's reach extends internationally, with Jimmy Yacabonis currently pitching for Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. Brian O'Keefe and Brett Callahan have both reached the highest tier of Minor League Baseball, and Andrew Cossetti returns to the Double‑A Wichita Wind Surge of the Minnesota Twins organization.
Looking Ahead
With a pipeline that includes recent draftees such as Domenic Picone, who earned a promotion to the Double‑A Springfield Cardinals, and prospects like Hayden Seig, who has tasted Triple‑A action with the Los Angeles Angels, the future looks bright. Even those on the injured list, like Colton Book, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the ninth round, remain integral parts of the program's ongoing story.