DeLucia Picked in 35th Round

Ohio State left-handed pitcher Dan DeLucia is picked up by the Detroit Tigers in the 35th round as the 1,063rd overall pick.

“I am ecstatic,” DeLucia said in the Ohio State news release. “This has been a dream of mine for years to get drafted and have an opportunity to play professional baseball and I am just so grateful that the Tigers are giving me that opportunity.”

Not many athletes have a better work ethic than DeLucia, who underwent Tommy John Surgery in April 2007 and returned to make his third opening-day start as a Buckeye. In 11 starts he compiled a 3-3 record and had a 4.70 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched. Not bad for the only three-time captain in 125 years of Ohio State baseball.

It is absolutely great to see him rewarded like this. The Tigers got a great pitcher and even better person.

Let fellow readers of The Buckeye Nine know what you think of this selection and feel free to leave J.B. a note here.