ELON, N.C. – Elon University baseball's
Jared Wetherbee becomes the latest Phoenix to make the jump to the professional level as the recent graduate signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, July 14.
"I'm extremely happy for Jared," said head coach
Mike Kennedy. "I know he has worked hard to put himself in position to get to play at the next level. Jared had a terrific career at Elon and deserves this opportunity."
A left-handed pitcher from Fiskdale, Mass., Wetherbee was 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA in four starts and six appearances for the maroon and gold this past season. He allowed six earned runs on 16 hits and four walks while collecting 19 strikeouts through 16.1 innings pitched. He also held opposing batters to a .254 average. He earned the decision in Elon's season-opening win at UNC Greensboro on Feb. 19, striking out five against one run on four walks and three hits in a 4.0-inning start versus the Spartans. He followed the outing with a 5.0-inning no decision against VCU on Feb. 27. He held the visiting Rams to two runs on four hits, did not issue a walk and struck out a season-high eight batters. Against Charleston in a CAA Championship elimination game on May 28, he limited the Cougars to one run on five hits without giving up a walk. His last appearance while wearing the maroon and gold, he capped off his career with three strikeouts in another 5.0-inning start.
A CAA All-Rookie Team selection as a freshman in 2018 and an All-CAA Second Team honoree in 2019, he was named a Preseason Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and listed as the No. 29 pitcher in D1Baseball's Preseason Rankings ahead of the 2020 season. He finished his time at Elon with an 11-6 record, five saves and a 3.29 ERA across 51 appearances and 19 starts. He compiled 189 career strikeouts through 145.0 innings, to include finishing third on the team with 98 strikeouts in 2019 as the Phoenix captured the CAA Regular Season title.
Wetherbee becomes the first Phoenix to make the jump to the professional level since four players were selected during the 2019 MLB Draft.
George Kirby became the program's highest-drafted player as the Seattle Mariners selected him with the 20th overall pick.
Kyle Brnovich went to the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round at pick 241,
Ty Adcock was drafted by the Mariners a few picks later at 246, and
Cam Davanney was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 463rd pick in round 15.
– ELON –
