Keeping It Heel
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UNC Baseball: Shawn Rapp Selected by Cleveland Guardians

By Bryant Baucom

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 03: Shawn Rapp #43 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a pitch against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the fourth inning at Boshamer Stadium on April 03, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 03: Shawn Rapp #43 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a pitch against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the fourth inning at Boshamer Stadium on April 03, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /
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With Rapp selected in Tuesday’s draft, the five UNC baseball draft picks are the most since the 2019 ACC Championship team.

As the MLB Draft was coming to a close, left-handed pitcher Shawn Rapp of the UNC baseball program became the fifth and final Diamond Heel selected. The Cleveland Guardians drafted Rapp in the 20th round with the 601st pick, potentially reuniting him with teammate Angel Zarate (17th round).

Following a career-high 49.2 innings pitched in 2021, the southpaw solidified himself as a mainstay in the Diamond Heels’ bullpen once again in 2022. The redshirt sophomore recorded 42 appearances in relief, ranking first in Division I baseball.

Rapp now sits third in program history in single-season appearances, recording the most outings by a Diamond Heel since Rob Wooten in 2008.

The Tar Heel reliever pitched to the tune of a 3.80 ERA, completing the season with a 4-0 record, one save, and 59 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched. The Mendham, NJ native averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings and compiled a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Rapp amassed one inning or more in 22 appearances while silencing opposing lineups, holding hitters to a .244 average.

As UNC headed into the NCAA Tournament winners of 15 of their last 17, Rapp’s contribution was key in the Tar Heels’ turnaround. He recorded two wins over nine appearances during that stretch, including a 4 2/3 innings, four-strikeout performance against Gardner-Webb.

Although the Guardians would be acquiring a workhorse and a potential long reliever at the professional level, Rapp still has the ability to return to Chapel Hill. With just two full seasons under his belt, he has two years of eligibility remaining as a collegiate athlete.

With the fall season right around the corner, the potential return of Schaeffer and Rapp would greatly strengthen the Carolina bullpen.

Next. Seattle Mariners select LHP Brandon Schaeffer. dark

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