trio of hokies picked in mlb draft tuesday; caps off largest class since 2015

Wyatt Krueger

July 13, 2021

BLACKSBURG — After pitcher Shane Connolly was selected by the Kansas City Royals on the second day of the three-day MLB Draft, three more Virginia Tech baseball players heard their names called in the 2021 MLB draft on Tuesday, capping off the program’s largest draft class since 2015.

First baseman TJ Rumfield and left-handed pitcher Chris Gerard were selected in the 12th round by the Philadelphia Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals with picks No. 355 and No. 361, respectively, while right-handed pitcher Anthony Simonelli was the second Hokie selected by Kansas City. He came off the board in the 16th round.

Rumfield, a six-foot-five, 225 pounder showcased his power from the left side this season, hitting .315 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs, trailing outfielder Gavin Cross in just about every offensive category.

Rumfield was a redshirt freshman transfer from Texas Tech in 2021 and showcased his durability by starting in all 52 games for the Hokies.

Gerard, Virginia Tech’s ace, dealt with groin and oblique injuries throughout the year and only started in eight games.

In those eight appearances Gerard posted a 2-2 record with a 3.02 ERA while striking out 48.

Gerard’s best performance of the season came against Duke where he pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 10 before surrendering the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. The southpaw’s sweeping breaking ball and pinpoint location made him a force in the ACC.

Simonelli was a fan favorite this season for Virginia Tech, providing energy to the mound in every appearance.

The righty posted a 5-2 record in 13 starts for the Hokies with a 3.91 ERA and 77 strikeouts, good for third on the team.

Soon after the draft concluded, the Roanoke Times reported that Rumfield, Gerard and Simonelli intend to sign with their respective organizations. If Gerard and Simonelli sign, it would leave the Hokies without two of their four weekend starters — Connolly and Alford are the other two — entering the 2022 season. Connolly hasn’t indicated whether or not he’ll turn pro.

If TJ Rumfield turns pro, it isn't clear who will take his spot in the lineup next season. After starting 19 of his 32 games in 2019, Nick Holesa was relegated to the bench when Rumfield transferred prior to the 2021 season. In turn, Holesa only saw action in 16 games, starting six, and announced that he would enter to transfer portal in an Instagram post after posing an .855 OPS in 33 at-bats.

A potential Hokie heard his name called on Tuesday, as left-handed pitcher Mason Albright, who could replace one of the three Hokie pitchers that were selected in the draft, was drafted in the 12th round with the 151st pick in the draft by the Los Angeles Angels.

Albright is the 122nd prospect according to MLB.com and attended IMG Academy in Florida last year.

Regardless of how the Hokies’ roster shakes out next spring, this is the largest draft class to come out of Blacksburg since 2015, and seeing their talents recognized on a national level is sure to keep head coach John Szefc’s program trending in the right direction.