Konstantinovsky Selected by Nationals in 2026 MLB Draft
Jul 12 | Baseball
He joins Peyton Bonds (Giants - third round) as the two Rutgers selections in this year's draft. It is the fifth straight year that at least two Scarlet Knights have been drafted. Konstantinovsky is the first Rutgers player to be drafted by the Nationals, though five were drafted when the franchise was the Montreal Expos. Jason Bergmann (11th round) and Tim Sweeney (20th round) were both drafted by the organization most recently in 2002, with Bergmann ultimately playing six seasons for the Nationals from their debut season in 2005 through 2010.
Konstantinovsky emerged as the team's ace in 2026, returning to the mound after missing all of 2025 with injury. He set a career high with nine strikeouts in his first start of the season at Charleston, a mark he would reach three times total. He finished the campaign with a 4-5 record, 5.48 ERA and 83 strikeouts to just 21 walks in 70.2 innings. His 83 strikeouts were the sixth-most in a season in program history. He went a career-long seven innings in the win over Western Carolina, giving up no runs on just one hit and one walk with six strikeouts.
He made eight starts as a true freshman in 2024 before missing the remainder of the season with injury. He posted a 5.29 ERA with 37 strikeouts to eight walks in 34 innings. His last two full starts were his best, going six scoreless at Michigan State and 5.1 innings against UConn, giving up one run with six strikeouts and no walks.
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