The Houston Astros selected former Monmouth University lefthanded pitcher Trey Dombroski in the fourth round, 133 overall, while the Cincinnati Reds picked lefty Rob Hensey in the ninth round, 273rd overall, on Monday in the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft.
This marks the first time in Hawks baseball program history that they have had two players chosen in the top 10 rounds, and the first time in Monmouth history that it has seen multiple players drafted in the same season.
“Everyone is extremely happy for Trey,” Monmouth Head Coach Dean Ehehalt said on Monmouthhawks.com. “It is certainly an exciting day for Trey and his family. His dream of becoming a professional baseball player is a reality and I am sure he will be ready for the opportunity that lies ahead. We wish all the best for Trey and look forward to following his career and path in pro ball.”
Dombroski enjoyed a 2022 campaign of the ages, posting a 3.13 ERA while going 6-2 on the year, walking just 14 batters in 95 innings to go along with a single-season team strikeout record with 120 en route to MAAC Pitcher of the Year honors.
“I’m super excited about the opportunity the Houston Astros are giving me, and I can’t wait to get to work,” New Jersey’s Wall High School alum said. “I want to say thank you to my parents, family, close friends, teammates, coaches and all those who have helped me along the way! I’m so pumped up and I can’t wait for the next step in the journey.”
Hensey put up solid numbers, going 3-7 with a 3.87 ERA and102 punchouts in 81.1 frames of work in 2022.
Additionally, the 2021 MAAC Pitcher of the Year posted a 1.54 ERA as a junior. Hensey’s control was impactable, as, over the course of his career, he walked just 45 batters in 211 innings.
In 2021, he was a First Team All-MAAC choice while posting the fifth-best earned run average in the nation. Hensey’s 6.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio was 17th in the country, with his 0.88 WHIP was ninth in the NCAA. An All-Region ABCA Second Teamer, Hensey struck out double-digit batters five times this season, walking just 13.
“We are really happy for Rob,” Ehehalt said. “He is a great kid and very deserving of being drafted. Rob has worked incredibly hard for this chance and will be ready to make the most of this great opportunity. We look forward to following his journey and career.”
A Goshen High School (N.Y.) product, Hensey expressed nothing but gratitude to the Monmouth Baseball program and his family for their unyielding support while at the university.
“This means everything to me,” Hensey said. “I look back at the journey over the years and could not be more grateful for the people who have been in my corner through it all. My Monmouth teammates who became my brothers, my coaches who blessed me with an opportunity and most importantly, my family.”
The two left-handed pitchers become the 19th and 20th Hawks in school history selected in the MLB Draft.
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— Jerry Del Priore
Photos: Monmouth Athletics.
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 