NEW YORK, N.Y. - West Chester University catcher Bob Stumpo was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Entry Draft Wednesday afternoon. He becomes the 26th West Chester University baseball player drafted by a major league baseball club.
Stumpo finished his senior season with a .305 batting average that included 11 doubles, 8 home runs and 52 RBI in leading West Chester (39-14) to the championship game of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. He hit .317 during his college career with 45 doubles, 16 home runs and 142 career RBI. He is tied for seventh all-time at WCU in career at bats (178) while sitting seventh in doubles (45) and sixth in RBI (142). He set the school’s all-time record by throwing out 46 would-be base stealers during his career at West Chester.
“It’s dream come true,” Stumpo said. “I actually saw it while following the draft live. I was really fired up, running around my house. It is an awesome feeling to be drafted by my hometown team. My parents have season tickets, and I have been following the Phillies since I was a kid.”
The switch-hitting catcher is the first West Chester University player drafted since Frank Gailey was taken in the 27th round of the 2007 MLB Entry Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Gailey is still pitching in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. Stumpo is the third former Golden Rams’ player to be taken by the hometown Philadelphia Phillies (Tom Nuneviller – 5th round in 1990; David Bishop – 2nd round of January secondary draft in 1971).
“I got a text message from Frank earlier,” Stumpo continued. “He just said congratulations and he’ll meet up with me when I get down there (Florida). I’ll call him later. My phone has been ringing off the hook today.”
Stumpo leaves for Florida and the Gulf Coast League on Tuesday.
Stumpo earned an American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA) gold glove this past spring, committing just two errors behind the plate while throwing out 16 of 46 would-be base-stealers. He allowed just 10 passed balls all season as well, authoring a .994 fielding percentage. He registered 299 putouts and 33 assists on the year while playing all 53 games behind the plate.
Stumpo was named first team All-PSAC East in each of the past two seasons. He was also a second teamer in 2008.
“This is a great day for Bob Stumpo and for West Chester baseball,” head coach Mark Jackson said. “I am really excited for him.”
Three former West Chester University baseball players have reached the major leagues after being taken in the entry draft, which began in 1965. John Mabry enjoyed the longest stay in major league baseball. He appeared in 1,321 games during his 13-year career and hit 96 career home runs after being drafted in the sixth round in 1991. Pat Kelly, who played the majority of his major league career with the New York Yankees, was taken in the ninth round in 1988. Lance Clemons, a left-handed pitcher with Kansas City and Boston, was taken in the seventh round in 1968.
