Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop left-handed pitcher Riley Huge was selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. Huge, a senior from Davenport, FL was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 13^th round with the 376^th pick.
 
In 2024, Huge finished the year tied for 10th in the nation in strikeouts at the conclusion of the regular-season with 111, which was good for 2nd in the Big South and 1st on the team. Riley pitched 66.2 innings and went 5-5 this season in 13 games played, leading the team in wins with five.
 
Against Maine on Mar. 2, Huge put together a stat line for the ages, pitching a season-high 7.2 innings, giving up just one hit, two walks and a career-high 20 strikeouts, breaking the Eagle single-game strikeout record that had previously stood for 21 seasons (Kevin Slowey struck out 19 vs. NYIT on Apr. 12, 2003). The 20 strikeouts was the most by any NCAA pitcher since 2017.
 
For his efforts this season, he was named the Big South Starting Pitcher of The Week in consecutive weeks on Feb. 27 and Mar. 4. With his performance vs. Maine, Huge was also named the National Pitcher of the Week on Mar. 4 by the NCBWA, Perfect Game and the NCAA.
 
Overall, Huge marks the 37^th Eagle in history to be selected in the MLB Draft.
 
This is the second straight year that a Winthrop baseball player was drafted. Last year saw utility player Brody Hopkins selected by the Seattle Mariners in the sixth round with the 187^th pick. Peek was drafted in the sixth round with the 181st pick while Pawelczyk went in the 10th round with pick number 290.