Mongelli will pass on graduate play at Auburn, head for Los Angeles Dodgers rookie camp
Sam Mongelli was prepared to take his baseball career to the next level and now that path has taken a new turn.
The Marlboro High School and Sacred Heart graduate was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers on day two of the Major League Baseball draft. Mongelli was tabbed in the tenth round as the No. 310 overall pick.
Mongelli was prepared to head for Auburn University as a post-grad transfer but will instead report to the Dodgers’ rookie camp in Arizona in the coming weeks. No contract terms have been discussed as of yet, he said.
“I knew there was a decent chance at (getting drafted),’’ said Mongelli. “I’m just so, so happy that it happened …so I don’t have to stress out (the later rounds on Tuesday).’’
The Yankees have always been his favorite team but the Dodgers were a strong second.
“It’s like a dream come true,’’ he said. “I’ve always been a fan of the Dodgers, and I’ve always wanted to go out to California or just even on the west coast because I’ve never been out there ... I’ve always wanted to play ball out there.’’
The Dodgers have a rookie league affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. The step-ladder has the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the low Class A California League, the Great Lakes Loons of the high Class A Midwest League, the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League and Oklahoma City Dodgers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.
The last Sacred Heart player to be drafted was Kingston’s Zack Short, in the 17th round of the 2016 draft – Short is currently playing with the Detroit Tigers. The college has produced 17 draft picks through the years.
“I am incredibly proud of Sam and couldn’t be happier for him and his family,’’ said Sacred Heart head coach Pat Egan. “He has worked his entire life for this opportunity, and nobody deserves this more than him.’’
Mongelli was a multi-sport standout at Marlboro. Following two injury plagued seasons he posted two outstanding seasons as the Pioneers’ shortstop. In his recently completed senior season, Mongelli earned All-America and Northeast Conference player of the year honors, hitting .402 over 55 games. He led the NEC in runs (81, ranked second nationally), hits (97), home runs (20), total bases (179), on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
“I don't know if you ever expect anyone to have a year like that,’’ Egan said. “That was something special that that doesn't come along all that often.’’
Egan said Mongelli is the quintessential baseball player, from his knowledge to his passion.
“At his core, Sam is a baseball player,’’ Egan said. “By that I mean you understand the game, you anticipate the game. He’s got a high baseball IQ, which I think is one of the biggest separators between him and everybody else. He just kind of sees the game through a different lens.’’
“I love to play the game, and I hate losing more than anybody on this planet,’’ Mongelli said. “Having that instilled in my head every day is huge for me because it drives me to be the best player I could be.’’
It’s the same qualities that attracted the Auburn coaching staff, which was looking for talent through the transfer portal. Mongelli had an extra year of eligibility once the NCAA extended it to all athletes because of the COVID shutdown.
Mongelli was quick to thank all of his coaches – from Little League to high school to college – and his family for getting him to this point. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of past Marlboro greats Rob Bell (seven seasons with the Reds, Rangers, Rays and Orioles) and Dermal Brown )eight seasons with the Royals and Athletics), teammates who both found their way to the Major Leagues and are recognized on the fence at the high school.
“I’m blessed for the opportunity I’ve got,’’ he said. “I'm so thankful for the Dodgers’ organization for giving me this opportunity because it's a once in a lifetime thing and I'll never forget it.’’
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Baseball Marlboro's Mongelli drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers
