Description
Packy Naughton is a left-handed pitcher for the St Louis Cardinals. Naughton, a Boston native, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round out of Virginia Tech in 2017. Naughton’s ninth round selection is the highest for any Hokie since Mark Zagunis was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the third round (78th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft. Naughton has a career minor league ERA of 3.59 and 331 strikeouts in 371 innings. In 2019, he was the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
The 23-year-old left-handed starter split time with both the Daytona Tortugas and the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2019. His season began in the Florida State League with Daytona where he made nine starts. In that stretch he posted a 2.63 ERA in 51.1 innings pitched with 9 walks and 50 strikeouts. His performance there earned him a quick promotion to Double-A. Once he arrived in Chattanooga he picked up where he had left off for the most part. He would make another 19 starts on the season – all for the Lookouts, throwing 105.2 innings for the Reds affiliate. His ERA over that span was 3.66 and he struck out 81 hitters with just 26 walks. Between his two stops he came in with a 3.32 ERA in 157.0 innings, just 10 home runs allowed, 35 walks, and he struck out 131 hitters.
Among the pitchers in the organization who threw at least 90 innings in 2019, Packy Naughton led in wins, ERA, innings, and walk rate. He was second in home run rate, strikeouts, and WHIP. He was third in strikeout-to-walk ratio. His best tool is the changeup in his three-pitch arsenal, which also features a fastball in the low 90s. His stellar season earned him the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Year Honors. He became one the Reds’ top prospects. Naughton was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on August 31st, 2020 for Outfielder Brian Goodwin.
Before the final chapter of the 2021 Freeway Series had closed at Dodger Stadium on Sunday August 9th, 2021, Naughton was handed the ball to turn his lifelong dream into a hallowed reality. Decked out in the red alternate tops, socks and caps of the Los Angeles Angels – with a bright No. 58 on his back – Packy Naughton made his MLB debut in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Four years after toeing the rubber in Blacksburg, Naughton ascended the hill in Chavez Ravine as the Hokies’ 21st player all-time to have made it to ‘The Show.’ The six-foot-two left-hander from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, upped Virginia Tech’s current count of major leaguers to three, joining the ranks of Joe Mantiply (Arizona) and Chad Pinder (Oakland).
Naughton’s first task out of an MLB bullpen could not have been staged against a more intimidating lineup than that of the defending world champion Dodgers (67-45). Standing between him and his first inning of work were Trea Turner and Max Muncy – two of the top 15 National League players ranked in OPS – with Albert Pujols and Corey Seager looming behind.
With the Angels (56-56) facing a 5-1 deficit, Naughton scattered a leadoff bloop single to nine-hole pinch hitter Billy McKinney before the Dodgers’ lineup turned over. Retiring Trea Turner on a deep fly to left field, he sat Max Muncy down next on a dribbler short of the pitcher’s mound, completing a soft underhand toss to former Virginia infielder Phil Gosselin.
Naughton’s debut could have ended more efficiently had circumstances not shifted against his control. Weathering a mid-inning interruption caused by a disorderly fan, he surrendered an RBI single to A.J. Pollock on his first delivery after the interruption, triggering the Angels to call for an intentional walk of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. However, Naughton relied on his filthy slider to work out of the jam, inducing the inning-ending ground ball from Seager.
On September 1st, 2021 against the New York Yankees, Naughton made his first career start, pitching 3+2⁄3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out two. Naughton finished the 2021 season with the Angels appearing in seven games (five starts) in which he went 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA, 14 walks, and 12 strikeouts over 22+2⁄3 innings. On March 18th, 2022, Naughton was designated for assignment by the Angels.
On March 21st, 2022, Naughton was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals and joined the club’s 40-man roster. He was assigned to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A International League to begin the 2022 season. Shortly thereafter, he was recalled by the St Louis Cardinals. In the 2022 Season, Naughton appeared in 26 Games with the Cardinals and registered a 4.78 ERA. In the 2023 Season, Naughton has appeared in 4 games for the Cardinals and has an 0.00 ERA.
The featured black, orange and maroon Easton Wheeled Baseball Bag was used for travel by Packy Naughton as a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies. This dynamite Bag has been signed by Naughton and he has added “Go Hokies!” in silver. The Bag shows a lot of wear and measures 39″ inches high! Awesome Bag used by the St Louis Cardinals Southpaw!
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