Matera Drafted & Signed by Philadelphia Phillies
Jun 18 | Baseball
Catcher selected in the 34th round
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Philadelphia Phillies selected Nick Matera from Rutgers in the 34th round of the MLB Draft. Matera, a member of the Johnny Bench Award Watch List and pick No. 1,007 overall, officially signed a professional contract and is in Clearwater, Florida to await an assignment. He was the second Scarlet Knight chosen to make it the first draft with multiple RU picks since 2010. Fellow junior Jawuan Harris previously went to the San Diego Padres in the seventh round.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Matera said. "I've always had a dream to play pro ball and I look forward to fulfilling that dream."
"Nick has worked really hard to earn this chance," head coach Joe Litterio said. "He has a great arm behind the plate and can hit with power to all fields. We wish him the best and look forward to watching him at the next level."
Matera, who batted third or fourth in the lineup in each game started, led the Scarlet Knights with 18 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs this past season. He popped five home runs, knocked in 22 with two outs and totaled 11 multiple-RBI games. In addition, the catcher reached base safely in each of the first 18 games of the season, including a 10-game hitting streak during that stretch. In the Sunday rubber game against Nebraska, the catcher hit a two-out, three-run homer in the fifth inning to give RU a lead it would not relinquish during a five-RBI performance. Another standout game was a 4-for-4 showing with four RBIs, three runs, two doubles and a long ball versus La Salle.
Defensively, Matera tied for fifth in the Big Ten following the 2018 regular season with 12 runners caught stealing. He threw out nine in conference play the previous year to rank second in the league.
Matera earned Third Team All-Big Ten status as a sophomore after compiling a .504 slugging percentage with 11 doubles and five home runs. The Roxbury, New Jersey, native registered 23 RBIs. Overall, Matera played in 121 career games for Rutgers with 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 73 RBIs and 50 walks.
The last Scarlet Knight to be drafted by the Phillies was Sean Ryan in 1990 (38th round). Matera is the first Rutgers catcher drafted since Jayson Hernandez went to the Boston Red Sox in the 41st round in 2010. Rutgers baseball has had a player drafted or signed by an MLB organization in each of the last seven years.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Matera said. "I've always had a dream to play pro ball and I look forward to fulfilling that dream."
"Nick has worked really hard to earn this chance," head coach Joe Litterio said. "He has a great arm behind the plate and can hit with power to all fields. We wish him the best and look forward to watching him at the next level."
Matera, who batted third or fourth in the lineup in each game started, led the Scarlet Knights with 18 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs this past season. He popped five home runs, knocked in 22 with two outs and totaled 11 multiple-RBI games. In addition, the catcher reached base safely in each of the first 18 games of the season, including a 10-game hitting streak during that stretch. In the Sunday rubber game against Nebraska, the catcher hit a two-out, three-run homer in the fifth inning to give RU a lead it would not relinquish during a five-RBI performance. Another standout game was a 4-for-4 showing with four RBIs, three runs, two doubles and a long ball versus La Salle.
Defensively, Matera tied for fifth in the Big Ten following the 2018 regular season with 12 runners caught stealing. He threw out nine in conference play the previous year to rank second in the league.
Matera earned Third Team All-Big Ten status as a sophomore after compiling a .504 slugging percentage with 11 doubles and five home runs. The Roxbury, New Jersey, native registered 23 RBIs. Overall, Matera played in 121 career games for Rutgers with 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 73 RBIs and 50 walks.
The last Scarlet Knight to be drafted by the Phillies was Sean Ryan in 1990 (38th round). Matera is the first Rutgers catcher drafted since Jayson Hernandez went to the Boston Red Sox in the 41st round in 2010. Rutgers baseball has had a player drafted or signed by an MLB organization in each of the last seven years.
Nick Matera selected by the @Phillies in the 34th round! Catcher led #RBaseball with 18 XBH and 35 RBIs this past season. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/2GhsaQZ6Ej
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 6, 2018
#RBaseball with multiple selections in the same #MLBDraft for the first time since 2010! pic.twitter.com/tYYaOsMXXg
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 6, 2018
.@RoxburyHS grad Nick Matera is off to pro ball, leaving @RutgersBaseball coach @JoeLitterioRU to find a new catcher. https://t.co/1YjCQn4e6X #MLBDraft @nickymoo33
— Daily Record Sports (@dailyrecordspts) June 7, 2018
OUTTA HERE! Matera puts the Scarlet Knights on top with a two-out, three-run homer! Five RBIs today for the catcher.
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) April 22, 2018
5-4 RU B5 pic.twitter.com/B3j5hs7r7v
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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