UNO pitcher Eric Orze taken by Mets in 5th round of MLB Draft

NEW ORLEANS – Eric Orze has become the 91st Privateer to hear his name called in the MLB Draft after he was selected by the New York Mets in the fifth round on Thursday. Orze was the 150th overall pick.

The selection also marks the fourth consecutive year a Privateer pitcher has been drafted.

Though it was brief, Orze’s final season with the Privateers was dominant and memorable. His dominance manifested in the numbers: a 3-0 record with a 2.75 ERA and a staff leading 29 strikeouts in 19.2 innings pitched. That included a 12-strikeout performance in his final start of the shortened 2020 season against Nicholls.

For that start, Orze also won Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Week honors. He went seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits in a 5-2 Privateer win. Orze also picked up wins against Arkansas State and UConn.

The memorable part is the resilience Orze showed in his return to the mound. A cancer survivor, Orze made his first appearance since his diagnosis and recovery on Opening Night against Southern. The feature on Eric can be read here.

“Eric is the real life story of overcoming adversity and now having the opportunity to live his childhood dream,” said Coach Blake Dean. He worked relentlessly towards a dream that at one point was almost taken from him. I personally wish him the best and know he will always be a Privateer.”

Orze becomes the second player ever drafted by the Mets. In 2008, a class that featured six Privateers taken, New York drafted Mark McGonigle.

He was also the second Southland Conference student-athlete to be taken in the MLB Draft this year. Logan Hofmann of Northwestern State was taken with the 138th overall selection.