BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University’s Shayne Fontana capped a stellar two-year career in the Blue and White by having his name called at the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft on Wednesday afternoon. The Baltimore Orioles selected the senior center fielder with their first pick in the 23rd Round, 675th overall.
Fontana becomes the ninth player selected from Lynn in the last 11 years and 11th since 2003. He is the fifth, and highest-drafted, position player in program history and first since Tyler Curtis in 2017.
A Second Team ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region and All-SSC selection, Fontana was the catalyst for the Lynn offense during the 2019 campaign, leading the Fighting Knights in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits and runs scored. ‘Stix’ also ranked in the top-10 in the SSC in slugging (.564), on-base (.454), runs scored (49) and walks (32).
The Lebanon, N.J. native also graduates with a total of eight triples, tied for fifth-most in program history.
Under head coach Rudy Garbalosa, 11 players have been drafted with three more signing free agent deals with MLB clubs. The list of Blue and White draftees includes: Rigo Beltran (2018, Seattle Mariners – 31st Round), Curtis (2017, Miami Marlins – 23rd Round), Max Watt (2015, Boston Red Sox – 22nd round), Sal Giardina (2014, Atlanta Braves – 31st round), Ryan Gibbard (2012, Milwaukee Brewers – 14th round), Andrew Virgili (2011, Chicago White Sox – 11th round), Tommy Kahnle (2010, New York Yankees – 5th round); Gabe MacDougall (2009, Kansas City Royals – 27th round), Nolan Mulligan (2007, Philadelphia Phillies – 26th round) and Beau McMillan (2003, Florida Marlins – 39th round).
Kahnle became the first Fighting Knight to reach the ‘Show’ when he made his debut April 3, 2014 for the Colorado Rockies against the Miami Marlins. He is now a reliever for the New York Yankees. Giardina is currently playing for the Braves Class AAA affiliate team, the Gwinnett Stripers, and John Silviano (free agent signee in 2016) is a member of the Miami Marlins Class AA affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
About the Fighting Knights
Lynn University’s national champion Fighting Knights compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and volleyball. The university’s 19 intercollegiate teams are home to over 300 student athletes. Lynn is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution and winner of 25 national championships and 42 Sunshine State Conference titles. Representing spirit, service and strength, the Fighting Knights strive for greatness through athletic performance and academic excellence. For more information, visit:lynnfightingknights.com.
