Augliera picked by Boston Red Sox in fifth round of MLB Draft

Binghamton University pitcher Mike Augliera was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 5. Augliera, Binghamton’s all-time wins leader, was the 181st overall pick and becomes the highest draft pick in program history and the first America East pitcher taken in the 2012 Draft.

The selection caps a remarkable ride for the recently graduated four-year standout. Augliera drew attention from more than two dozen MLB teams throughout his senior season and cemented his high standing with a nine-inning one-hit gem against Albany in an America East Championship game witnessed by nearly 20 scouts on May 23.

“I am still shocked to be honest,” said Augliera. “Today went much better than I ever could have expected. This is definitely a dream come true for me and I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. I just want to thank everyone at home and at Binghamton who have helped me get to this point. ”

A three-time all-conference selection, including back-to-back first team honoree, Augliera is looking to follow in the footsteps of recent Binghamton aces Scott Diamond (4-1, 1.86 ERA with Minnesota Twins) and Murphy Smith (2.98 ERA for Oakland Double-A). Diamond went undrafted in 2007, but signed with the Atlanta Braves and has now blossomed in the Twins organization as the Bearcats’ first MLB player. Smith was selected by the A’s in the 13th round of the 2009 draft and has quickly advanced to Oakland’s Double-A team in Midland, Texas.

Augliera graduates as the school’s career leader in wins (23), innings pitched (298.1), starts (50) and complete games (13). He leads the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (83 Ks vs. 7 BBs) and finished his four-year career with 253 strikeouts — second all-time. In six postseason games during his four years (America East and NCAA Championships), Augliera went 3-1 with a sparkling 1.87 ERA.

In his senior season, he won six games, led the America East in strikeouts (83) and ranks among the nation’s top-10 in four categories: walks allowed per game (third at 0.76), complete games (4th with 7) and WHIP — walks plus hits per inning pitched (seventh at 0.92).

Twenty-year head coach Tim Sinicki, who is quickly gaining a reputation for churning out high-level professional pitchers, spoke highly of Augliera, both as a player and as a young man.

“I am so very proud of Mike,” Sinicki said. “This is a tremendous day for him, his family and our baseball program here at Binghamton University. Mike has worked extremely hard over the course of the last four seasons to put himself in this position and I am confident he will take full advantage of this opportunity the Red Sox have given him. Mike is the type of young man that everyone pulls for. Quiet, polite and unassuming off the field, but a fierce competitor on the field who expects and settles for nothing but the best. Everyone associated with the Bearcats baseball program is extremely proud of Mike and wish him nothing but the best.”

Augliera graduated in May with a degree in human development. At the 65th Annual Varsity Awards Banquet, he was presented with a BUAC Citizenship Award for his leadership, sportsmanship and integrity.

He becomes the school’s 16th MLB draft pick or professional signee in the last seven years.