After learning teammate Jawuan Harris was selected Tuesday, Rutgers baseball catcher Nick Matera was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 34th round. It marks the first time in eight years that multiple Scarlet Knights heard their names called in the MLB draft. In addition, Matera’s presumed replacement, commit Peter Serruto had already been drafted in the 22nd round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Matera was the team’s best slugger in 2018, leading the team in doubles, home runs, and RBIs. He was clutch as well, registering 17 of those runs batted in with two outs. The team’s lack of power around him allowed pitcher’s to be careful with the Roxbury native, resulting in a batting average that was not as good as his breakout 2017 campaign when he was named third team All-Big Ten.