Pat Light has become the latest Monmouth University hurler to be drafted by a major league baseball team.
The 6-6 right-hander, who lives in Colts Neck and starred in high school at Christian Brothers Academy, was picked by the Boston Red Sox in the supplemental first round of Major League Baseball’s First- Year Player Draft. He was the 37th pick overall, making him the highest pick ever out of the Northeast Conference.
“To hear your name called by the Boston Red Sox is a dream come true,” Light said in a college press release. “It was one of my goals to be a first rounder and hard work truly paid off. Words cannot describe how happy I am.”
He follows in the footsteps of Brad Brach (San Diego Padres) and Brett Brach (Cleveland Indians) who parlayed great careers at Monmouth into the Major League draft.
“I would not trade my time at Monmouth for anything,” Light said. “It was the right decision going to college out of high school and playing at Monmouth. I played with unbelievable players and was able to develop as a pitcher and a person thanks to Coach [Dean] Ehehalt, Coach [Jimmy] Belanger, and the whole Monmouth staff. I’ll always cherish the relationships and experiences I had with my teammates. I would not be where I am today without the strong support of my teammates, coaches and the Monmouth community.”
“Getting drafted in the first round is an outstanding accomplishment and I am really happy for him and his family,” said head coach Dean Ehehalt. “Pat has been extremely motivated and driven to get to this point in his career and he developed nicely over the last few seasons. He constantly challenges himself and always has set high goals.”
Light is happy to be a Red Sox.
“I have not heard a bad thing about the Red Sox organization,” stated Light. “It is a great place to play and they give you every opportunity to succeed.”
Light had his finest season with the Hawks in 2012. He went 8-3 overall and logged a school record 101.1 innings of work. He struck out 102 batters, also a new Hawk single-season record. He showed outstanding control walking just 16. Light pitched to a 2.60 ERA.
In NEC play, Light was 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA and 78 K’s.
The junior was named to the All-Northeast Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team. The New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association (NJCBA) named the hard-thrower Light Pitcher of the Year.
Light drew national attention after fanning 15 LIU batters and not allowing a walk to set a new career-best and tie a MU single game strikeout record. Light, who was added to USA Baseball’s Golden Spike Award Watch List, was named Collegiate Baseball’s/Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for his efforts.
Brad Brach with San Diego Padres
Both Brad and Brett Brach, Freehold Township grads, were also the NJCBA Pitcher of the Year. Brad, twice.
Brad Brach is pitching in relief for the Padres. He recently pitched 2.1 innings in New York against the Mets fanning four.
He’s appeared in 22 games for the Padres this year pitching 20.1 innings with a 3.98 ERA and 0-1 record. He has 26 strikeouts in those 20.1 innings.
Brach worked his way up through the Padres organization since he was drafted in 2008 from ClassAball to the major league roster. He was an all-star for the Padres minor league teams and in 2009 was named the Class A Relief Pitcher of the Year after helping the Fort Wayne TinCaps win the Midwest League title. He had a league-high 33 saves in 34 save opportunities.
In 2010, the ex-Freehold Township star was the California League Pitcher of the Year with 41 saves, a 5-2 record and a 2.47 ERA.
Brad Brach made his major league debut on Aug. 31, 2011, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made the Padres 2012 Opening Day roster.
Brett Brach is on the Akron Aeros in Double-A, where he’s a starting pitcher.