Athletics: Ariel Armas Drafted in Fifth Round by Chicago Cubs

Junior catcher won ABCA/Rawings Gold Glove award, was named WCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024Junior catcher Ariel Armas was selected

Junior catcher Ariel Armas was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft (153rd overall pick) by the Chicago Cubs on Monday afternoon, joining Josh Randall (Detroit Tigers, pick No. 85) and Jakob Christian (San Francisco Giants, pick No. 149) as the third Torero to be drafted this week.

Armas was recognized as the top defensive catcher in all of amateur baseball last month when he was selected to the nine-player 2024 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team.

He was also named the 2024 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, to the 2024 All-WCC First Team, and as one of 16 semifinalists for the 2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award after starting 55 of the Toreros' 56 games at catcher this season. Armas posted a .998 fielding percentage while throwing out 15 would-be base stealers and led the nation with 18.69 Defensive Runs Saved (according to 6-4-3 Charts, as of June 5), 3.58 more runs saved than the next closest player.

A native of nearby Chula Vista California who attended nearby Saint Augustine High School, Armas is the first player in San Diego baseball history to earn Gold Glove honors.

Armas batted .298 (59-for-198) in 2024 with 39 runs scored, eight doubles, six home runs, 29 runs batted in, 27 walks, seven hit by pitches, a .429 slugging percentage, and a .399 on-base percentage. He elevated his offensive prowess even further during WCC play, helping USD clinch the 2024 WCC Regular Season Championship by batting .364 (32-for-88) with 19 runs scored, three doubles, four home runs, 16 runs batted in, 15 walks, two hit by pitches, a .534 slugging percentage, and a .462 slugging percentage across 24 conference contests.

His selection at No. 153 makes him the 23rd-highest drafted player in program history. Armas is the fifth Torero to be drafted by the Cubs, joining Paul Richan (2018, pick No. 78), Sean Barry (2017, pick No. 645), Kris Bryant (2013, pick No. 2), Michael Wagner (2013, pick No. 438),  and Keoni Ruth (2006, pick No. 509).

At least one Torero has been selected in each of the last 35 MLB Drafts. Armas is the 151st player in USD history to either have his name called in the MLB Draft or sign with a Major League team, a span that dates back to 1964.

— USD News Center