PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball's
Harry Rutkowski was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The left-handed pitcher led RU in innings pitched in each of the last three seasons and paced the staff in strikeouts in three of the last four years.
"I'm really excited for the opportunity and can't wait for what's ahead," said Rutkowski.
"Harry is one of the most talented and hardest workers in our program's history," head coach
Steve Owens said. "He has pitched as a weekend starter since the start and his numbers prove just how consistent and reliable he has been. He is 100 percent ready for pro baseball and we are proud and excited for him to enter the next phase of his baseball journey!"
Joining the weekend rotation the first series of his freshman season, Rutkowski ranks tied for third in program history with 44 career starts, third with 221 strikeouts and 10th with 249.2 innings pitched. That includes 30 starts to open a weekend.
Rutkowski placed second in the Big Ten following the regular season with 81 innings pitched in 2021. The lefty worked at least six innings nine times, seven innings six times and through eight innings twice. He racked up 70 strikeouts with a 1.32 WHIP, .239 batting average against and logged seven quality starts. The campaign was highlighted by an 11-strikeout performance versus Ohio State, an 8.1-inning win at Purdue and beating defending conference champion Indiana on Opening Day.
Most recently, Rutkowski, a 2019 Cape Cod League All-Star, worked 17 innings with only three earned runs against (1.58 ERA) for the Brewster Whitecaps. He struck out 17 compared to two walks for a 0.53 WHIP.
Prior to logging a 2.74 ERA during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Fords, New Jersey, native registered 83 strikeouts as a sophomore, fourth-most in a year in program history. He posted a career-high 12 punchouts over eight shutout innings to top Purdue. As a rookie, Rutgers won each of his first eight starts.
A criminal justice major, Rutkowski is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
The last Scarlet Knight to sign with the Toronto organization was Craig Badger in 2004. Rutkowski joins fellow RU alumni Brian O'Grady (Padres), Patrick Kivlehan (Padres), Jawuan Harris (Padres), Serafino Brito (Indians), John O'Reilly (Pirates) and Nick Matera (Phillies) in affiliated professional baseball.
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