Kevin Warunek, a graduate of Patriot High School, is set to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kevin Warunek wasn’t concerned whether he was drafted towards the end of the three-day, 20-round process. As a 2021 graduate of Patriot High School, he was grateful that a Major League Baseball team saw fit to select him.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s day three, two, or one,” Warunek remarked. “I heard my name called.”
Indeed, on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted the former left-handed pitcher from Longwood University in the 18th round. Warunek is set to depart on Saturday to finalize his contract in Philadelphia and then report to the Phillies’ spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida. While he didn’t disclose specific financial details, Warunek confirmed the signing.
Warunek still had one more year of college eligibility left and had pitched for Longwood over the past three seasons. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on June 20 due to recent coaching changes at Longwood and subsequently committed to Coastal Carolina.
Under Lancers head coach Chad Oxendine, who left to become associate head coach at Coastal Carolina, Warunek served as a reliever. This season, he achieved a 2-0 record in 12 appearances with an impressive 2.08 ERA across 21.2 innings pitched.
Reflecting on his draft selection by the Phillies, Warunek admitted that the news initially didn’t sink in but has since become more real. He becomes the second Patriot High School graduate to be drafted into MLB, following Nick Brown, who was selected by Minnesota in the 32nd round of the 2017 draft after playing at William & Mary.
