UNC Baseball: Davis Palermo Drafted by Colorado Rockies

The UNC Baseball standout relief pitcher is the second member of the ACC Tournament championship squad selected in this year’s draft. 

Another UNC baseball standout is off the board in the 2022 MLB Draft.  The Colorado Rockies have selected right-handed pitcher Davis Palermo in the eighth round with the 236th overall pick.

After appearing in just 22 games in his first three years on campus, the Chapel Hill native burst onto the scene in 2022, as he made 37 appearances out of the bullpen, which was fourth most in the nation.  Palermo finished this season with a  2.78 ERA, five saves, and 74 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a stifling .189 batting average against him over 58 and 1/3 innings pitched.

The redshirt sophomore was named to Perfect Game’s Third-Team All-America team and was arguably the best arm on a Tar Heel team that won the ACC tournament championship. Although the Diamond Heels came within two games of a berth to Ohama, Palermo played a major role in helping the Tar Heels win the Chapel Hill regional during the NCAA Tournament.

Palermo came up big for the Tar Heels in crucial moments throughout the season, highlighted by three impressive outings in Charlotte during the ACC Tournament. He also secured a a series-clinching victory over NC State in early May, as he struck out the side in the ninth inning to close it out.

With a consistent mid-90s fastball and experience playing and succeeding in big-time moments this season, it makes sense why the Rockies want Palermo as part of their organization.

If this was indeed his last season in Chapel Hill, Tar Heel fans should be grateful for the career Davis Palermo had as a member of the UNC baseball program.

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