BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University’s baseball program continues to show its strength as Tom Archer became the Fighting Knights’ second selection on Wednesday in the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. The Chicago White Sox nabbed the senior second baseman with their third pick in the 39rd Round, 1160th overall, giving the Blue and White two draftees in the same draft for the first time in program history.
Archer joins fellow senior Shayne Fontana as Lynn’s second player off the board on day three with Fontana going to the Baltimore Orioles with the first pick in the 23rd Round. Archer also becomes the 10th player selected from Lynn in the last 11 years and 12th since 2003.
The Fort Salonga, N.Y. native played in 94 games during his time in the Blue and White, collecting 105 hits with a career .279 batting average. As a Fighting Knight, Archer racked up 40 extra-base hits, including nine home runs, and 45 RBI. He also posted a .354 on-base percentage and struck out just 49 times in 376 at-bats.
Under head coach Rudy Garbalosa, 12 players have been drafted with nine more signing free agent deals with MLB clubs. The list of Blue and White draftees includes: Fontana (2019, Baltimore Orioles –23rd Round), 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.
