Mets select NMSU pitcher Marcel Renteria in MLB Draft

Marcel Renteria became only the fifth NMSU player ever selected in the first ten rounds of the MLB Draft after the New York Mets selected him in the 6th round Tuesday.

The right-handed pitcher was the 187th overall pick.

Renteria is, however, the second Aggie chosen in the first six rounds in the past two years after the Nationals took former NMSU outfielder Daniel Johnson in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

The Mets reportedly liked Renteria’s power curve and fastball – two pitches that helped him record 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings last season to lead all WAC pitchers.

The team says they have witnessed Renteria’s fastball hit 99 miles per hour, with a solid average in the 94-97 mph range.

Renteria joined the Aggies two seasons ago after playing junior college baseball in Arizona, but fit in immediately with the team.

“We place an incredible amount of value in the character and integrity of players during the recruiting process,” said NMSU head coach Brian Green. “Marcel and the Renteria family were an unbelievable family during not only the recruiting process, but throughout their entire time here in Las Cruces.”

Renteria recorded a career-high of 12 strikeouts in a game against North Dakota in May of 2016.