MLB DRAFT: Chris Villaman Selected by Rays in Ninth Round

NC State left-handed pitcher Chris Villaman has been drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth round, No. 284 overall, in the 2022 MLB Draft.

An All-ACC Third Team selection, Villaman led the Wolfpack with 11 saves on 28 appearances in 2022, finishing the season with a 3-3 record, a 3.40 earned run average, and 85 strikeouts in 55-2/3 innings. In a year which included a five-inning, 12-strikeout performance versus Florida State, the Ledford HS product capped off the year with five hitless innings versus North Carolina in the ACC Championship game.

In 2021, Villaman threw a one-hit complete game shutout over UNCG, earning one of five wins on the year with a 4.35 ERA in 18 appearances, starting seven. He also shut out Duke over 4-1/3 innings of relief in the conference title game versus Duke. After facing Alabama, Louisiana Tech, and Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, the High Point, N.C. product earned a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, joining fellow Pack pitcher Sam Highfill and head coach Elliott Avent.

The NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason and Mid-Season Watch List candidate will have two years of eligibility remaining should he choose to return to Raleigh. If he signs, he finishes tied with Evan Justice with 13 career saves, seventh-most in school history.