More than a dozen former Saint Joseph's baseball student-athletes are currently playing in the professional ranks or are on the cusp of beginning their professional careers.
 
Earlier this week, three members of the 2026 Atlantic 10 regular season champions heard their names called in the MLB Draft; pitcher Andrew Gaines went to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th round, pitcher Christian Coppola was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round, and pitcher Duke McCarron was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 17th round.
 
"Andrew, Christian, and Duke being selected in the 2026 MLB Draft was really exciting; we recognize how challenging it is for that to happen," head coach Fritz Hamburg said after the trio brought the total number of Hawk draftees during his tenure to 17.  "The competition to advance into the professional game is big time.  So many great players out there are working relentlessly for that opportunity, so to have three of our players hear their name called is just awesome.  We have been fortunate to have had several guys have their names called in last few years.  We couldn't be happier for them and their families."
 
Four of those recent draftees came in 2024, and all four have progressed in their respective organizations.  Outfielder Ryan Cesarini was promoted this week to the Double-A Akron RubberDucks in the Cleveland Guardians organization, while pitchers Luke Gabrysh and Matt McShane are in the Phillies and Boston Red Sox organizations at the High-A level with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Greenville Drive, respectively.  Outfielder Ryan Piccolo is in the Seattle Mariners organization with the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers.
 
Two Hawks are currently at the highest level of Minor League Baseball, as SJU Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Brian O'Keefe is also in the Mariners organization with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and Brett Callahan recently joined the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.  Callahan has jumped two levels this season, finishing 2025 with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps before progressing to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves on the way to Toledo.
 
Another SJU Baseball Hall of Famer, Jimmy Yacabonis, is currently pitching for the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League.  Yacabonis and O'Keefe are the third and fourth Hawk baseball players to reach the Major Leagues, with Yacabonis debuting in 2017 and O'Keefe in 2022.
 
"It's a thrill to see so many of our players scattered throughout the minor leagues," Hamburg said.  "Jimmy Yacabonis and Brian O'Keefe are the two guys who have MLB experience, but there are a couple other guys knocking on the door.  It's a lot of fun to follow these guys throughout the spring and summer and to see their highlights and successes."
 
Catcher Andrew Cossetti is back with the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge of the Minnesota Twins organization after receiving an invitation to spring training with the big-league club.  Pitcher Domenic Picone was promoted by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals before the season as well.
 
In addition, pitchers Hayden Seig (Los Angeles Angels) and Colton Book (Chicago Cubs) are on the injured list at the moment.  Seig has reached as high as the Triple-A level in the Angels organization, while Book, the 2025 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year, was drafted by the Cubs in the ninth round of last year's draft.
 
"Professional baseball is a big part of our program," Hamburg said.  "Player development should be at the forefront of any player's playing experience.  We have taken great pride in making that one of our program's top priorities here at St. Joe's."