Pitcher Sosa drafted by Oakland Athletics in 26th round

Binghamton fireballer Lee Sosa was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 6. One day after teammate Mike Augliera went to the Boston Red Sox, Sosa’s selection gives the Bearcats two draftees in the same year for the first time since 1990. Sosa was the 799th overall pick of the draft. It was the third time the A’s have taken a Bearcats pitcher (Jeff Dennis, 40th round in 2008, Murphy Smith, 13th round in 2009).

“After all the hard work I’ve put in, with my teammates and family, I can say this is a huge milestone in my life,” Sosa said. “It’s almost surreal. I’m more than excited to start this new chapter in my life. Let’s go A’s!”

Sosa just finished a junior season that saw him earn first team America East all-conference honors as the premier closer in the league. His mid-90s fastball attracted attention from MLB scouts all season long. He is the sixth Binghamton University pitcher to be selected and fourth in the last five years.

“What a great story this young man is ... from recruited walk-on to MLB draft pick,” head coach Tim Sinicki said. “Lee is a great example of what setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals is all about. He made it clear to me three years ago that professional baseball is what he wanted and here he is, property of the Oakland A’s. I am extremely proud of Lee, who I have come to know as not only a talented pitcher, but an outstanding young man. I wish nothing but the best for him as he begins his career as a professional.”

This spring, Sosa made 18 relief appearances with a conference-best 10 saves and posted a 2.60 ERA. He had a 1.06 ERA in the regular season and struck out 18 in 18 innings of work. Sosa allowed just two earned runs in 17 innings during the regular season and opponents hit just .227 against him.

His season saves total (10) was the second-highest in program history.

Sosa earned a roster spot as a Binghamton freshman in 2010. As a sophomore, he made 13 relief appearances with 16 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. Sosa began to draw attention after a strong summer season for Lehigh Valley in the Atlantic Coast Baseball League last summer. He was an all-star and posted a miniscule 0.90 earned run average with four saves in 16 appearances. He struck out 27 in 20 innings for the Catz.