Council Rock South’s Mulderig drafted by Pirates
BucksLocalSports Editor
— Many a youthful boy in America grows up dreaming of one day playing Major League Baseball
For Council Rock South alum and former NorthampWRn LHgLRn RuWfiHlGHU -HUUy Mulderig, that dream beFDPH UHDlLWy HDUly Ln -unH when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Now when you really think about it, what youngster in this country doesn’t grow up wanting to be a pirate? Late last month, Mulderig signed a contract with the Pittsburgh ballclub.
“I always liked the Pirates growing up,” explained Mulderig. “When I was younger, I liked their logo and hats just because that’s how kids are when it comes to sports.”
A junior at Rider University and resident of Northampton, Mulderig was drafted in the 28th round by Pittsburgh in Major League Baseball’s 2013 First Year Player Draft held -unH 6-8 Ln SHFDuFus, 1Hw -HUsHy.
A graduate of Council Rock South and a former FHnWHUfiHlGHU-SLWFKHU IRU Northampton Legion Post 436, 0ulGHULg wDs D )LUsW Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and D )LUsW 7HDP All-1Hw -HUsey selection this year as a designated hitter. He was drafted as a pitcher by the Pirates, however.
“It’s a dream every kid has,” said Mulderig. “It has bHHn D gRDl sLnFH , wDs fiYH years old to play professional baseball and I can’t explain enough how happy I am to have met that goal.”
Northampton head coach -RH -uGgH UHFDllHG 0ulderig’s playing days in Richboro.
“He was very competiWLYH,” sDLG -uGgH. “2nFH KH got to the other side of that white line, he always gave 110 percent.”
A player with a strong arm and just as strong at bat, Mulderig has blossRPHG LnWR D bLg bRy DW 6-4, 205 SRunGs. -uGgH sDys Mulderig throws a fastball consistently in the mid-90s these days.
“If you’re six-four and you have a strong arm and you’re throwing in the mid90s and you’re still growLng,” DGGHG -uGgH, “, wRulG think that would be something that they would be interested in and take a second look at, especially from D D-2nH SlDyHU.”
“We are very excited IRU -HUUy,” sDLG 5LGHU KHDG coach Barry Davis who sFRuWHG 0ulGHULg Ln D -unH 2010 Carpenter Cup appearance for the SuburbDn 2nH LHDguH 1DWLRnDl/ Bicentennial all-stars who made it all the way to the finDl Ln 2010 bHIRUH IDllLng WR -HUsHy SKRUH. “,W Ls an honor to be drafted by a major league team regardless of what happens going forward.”
A right-handed pitcher who bats left, Mulderig is the third Bronc in the last three years to be drafted, IRuUWK Ln WKH lDsW fiYH yHDUs DnG fiIWK Ln WKH lDsW HLgKW years under Davis.
“He has come a long way as a player since his freshman year and I think his best days are ahead of him,” Davis said. “The Pirates seem to agree.”
It is the highest draft pick from Rider since Scott Knazek was selected in the 15th round by the Angels in 2006.
0ulGHULg Ls WKH 46WK Bronc in the last 43 years to play professional baseball and the 21st college player under Davis.
“I thank the Pirates sincerely for giving me this chance and now my next goal starts, making it to the show,” said Mulderig.
“We will see what happens from here, but it is a positive for all of us involved at this point,” said Davis.
A member of the MAAC All-Academic team as a Behavioral Neuroscience major, Mulderig led Rider in bDWWLng (.328, 63 KLWs Ln 54 games), on base percentage (.417), slugging percentage (.417) and walks (29), was sHFRnG Ln sWRlHn bDsHs (16) and is third on the team in RBI (31).
2n WKH PRunG, 0ulGHULg appeared in 11 games this year, starting four, and owned a 3-2 record with a 4.12 earned run averDgH. 2SSRnHnWs bDWWHG .229 DgDLnsW KLP DnG -HUUy sWUuFN out 13 batters in 19.2 innings pitched while walking seven.
Mulderig did not pitch as a freshman at Rider and appeared in 10 games in 2012, all in relief, compiling a save and seven strikeouts in nine innings pitched.
As RI -unH 24, KH’s lLsWHG as unsigned with the Pirates. He has some leverage though as he could go back to school to complete his GHgUHH fiUsW. 0ulGHULg sDys however if the Pirates make him an offer, his education can wait.
“If I work hard enough, I will be playing baseball for a living,” he said.
Mulderig is the second former Golden Hawk drafted this year with the New York football Giants selecting Syracuse offensive WDFNlH -usWLn 3ugK Ln WKH fiUsW URunG RI WKH 1)L DUDIW in April.