Former UNC Baseball standout signs with MLB team

As a freshman, the former UNC baseball star stepped into the spotlight, throwing 1 2/3 innings of shutout baseball against Oregon State in Omaha.

Following a stint in the Pioneer League, former UNC baseball pitcher Joey Lancellotti has signed with the New York Mets.

Lancellotti, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021, appeared in two games for the Missoula Paddleheads, compiling a perfect 0.00 ERA and three strikeouts over two innings of work.

The Bensalem, Pennsylvania native appeared in 63 games on the bump for the UNC baseball program, recording a 3.14 ERA in 126 innings. Lancellotti earned 12 wins, tallying 132 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .211 batting average.

As the Diamond Heels powered their way to the 2019 ACC Championship, Lancellotti was the most dominant arm in the Carolina bullpen. Over the four-game stretch in Durham, Lancellotti pitched 8 2/3 innings, amassing seven strikeouts while allowing just one earned run.

The then-sophomore saved his best performance for the title game, silencing the Georgia Tech offense. Lancellotti threw 3 2/3 innings of relief, holding the Yellow Jackets to two hits and one earned run with 3 punchouts.

With a North Carolina team that was one game away from back-to-back trips to Omaha, Lancellotti recorded the third-most appearances on the Tar Heels’ pitching staff.

The future Met is no stranger to professional baseball in the Empire State, as Lancellotti was a 34th round selection by the New York Yankees in the 2019 MLB Draft.

As Lancellotti continues his return to the mound for the first time in 14 months, his past production has rightfully earned him an opportunity in a Major League organization.

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