BILLINGS – If Billings Mustangs fans didn’t have a chance to see Nick Lodolo pitch for their home team, they’re likely out of luck.
The Cincinnati Reds on Monday promoted their number-one pick of 2019 to the Class A Dayton Dragons. Lodolo is set to make his first start with the Dragons on Thursday night against the Great Lakes Loons at 7 p.m., according to the Dragons’ website.
Lodolo made six starts for the Mustangs throwing 11.1 innings, striking out 21 and issuing only one walk. He posted a 2.38 earned run average.
This year’s seventh overall Major League Baseball selection becomes the 18th Reds first-round pick to play for the Dragons.
Lodolo played collegiate baseball at TCU and was a 2019 2nd Team All-American as a junior after posting a 2.36 ERA in 103 innings. He walked 25 batters and struck out 131, surrendering just 76 hits.
Lodolo was selected 1st Team All-Big 12 Conference in 2019 after being a 2nd Team choice in 2017 as a freshman and again in 2018.
Lodolo’s top appearances of 2019, including with TCU:
May 16 vs. Texas Tech (College World Series participant, #4 team in the nation in final ranking): 8 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits, 0 walks, 13 strikeouts.
March 15 vs. Eastern Michigan: 7 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 4 walks, 13 strikeouts.
March 1 vs. Houston: 7 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts.
June 1 (NCAA Super Regional) vs. Arkansas (College World Series participant, #7 team in the nation in final ranking): 5 innings, 1 unearned run, 4 hits, 6 strikeouts.
Reds #1 draft picks to play for Dayton:
Austin Kearns
Ty Howington
David Espinosa
Chris Gruler
Homer Bailey
Jay Bruce
Drew Stubbs
Devin Mesoraco
Robert Stephenson
Nick Travieso
Phillip Ervin
Nick Howard
Alex Blandino
Tyler Stephenson
Nick Senzel
Hunter Greene
Jonathan India
Nick Lodolo
(Editor’s note: information from the Dragons’ media release included)
