NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. - In 2025
Dawson Montesa was nearly unhittable in Division II. Now he'll take those talents to the professional ranks, chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals during the compensatory picks of the second round in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 72nd overall selection.
A first-team All-American in 2025, Montesa led Adelphi with a 1.99 ERA and 105 strikeouts in only 72 innings. He allowed more than two runs in an appearance just three times all season, using that as a launching pad to the Big 12 this spring as a member of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Montesa was the third pick for St. Louis and their first pitcher. He's the first Adelphi player drafted since Edward Baram; taken by the Athletics in 2019's 30th round. Montesa's selection is the highest in Adelphi history, eclipsing Bobby Lanigan, who was chosen by the Twins with the 92nd pick (third round) in 2008. Charles Reilly was taken with the 92nd pick in 1974, although that was in the fourth round.
Montesa is the second former NE10 student-athlete selected in the MLB draft in as many years, following New Haven's Randy Ramnarace (Kansas City, 16th Rd). Montesa is among the highest selections in conference history -- with Le Moyne's Josiah Gray being the highest on recent record at 72nd overall.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
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