Caleb Ricketts Drafted in Seventh Round of MLB Draft by Philadelphia Phillies

Junior catcher Caleb Ricketts was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft (212th overall pick) by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday afternoon, marking the third San Diego baseball player to be drafted this week after Brycen Mautz was chosen by St. Louis late last evening and Chase Meidroth had his name called by Boston earlier today.

Ricketts put together one of the most dominant seasons in San Diego baseball history in 2022, leading the West Coast Conference in hits (85), home runs (16), batting average (.373), and slugging percentage (.658) enroute to a WCC Player of the Week selection on March 28 before he was named to the All-WCC First Team and the WCC Player of the Year on May 23. His excellence extended to defense as well, with the Communication Studies major catching 16 of 35 would-be base stealers on the year.

The postseason saw the Newport Beach, California native continue his dynamic campaign, earning 2022 WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, California after batting .588 (10-for-17) in the event with eight runs scored, a double, five home runs, 12 RBIs, two walks, and two hit by pitches in just four games. 

His season concluded with a selection to the 2022 NCAA Corvallis Regional All-Tournament Team, an honor that complemented his finish as a semifinalist for the 2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, his selection as a Collegiate Baseball Third Team All-American, and his ABCA West All-Region Second Team honors.

Ricketts, who was the 43rd player in San Diego baseball history to be named an All-American and the program's 10th to earn WCC Player of the Year honors, is the 146th Torero 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