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Duke Baseball: Mitch Stallings Selected by Atlanta Braves

By Kevin Connelly

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: Fans walk in The Battery Atlanta prior to Opening Day at SunTrust Park between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 29: Fans walk in The Battery Atlanta prior to Opening Day at SunTrust Park between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The last Duke Baseball pitcher to get drafted in the 2018 MLB Draft may have been one of the most important players this season.

The hometown kid got picked by his hometown team.

The 6’2″ southpaw from Atlanta, Georgia was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Mitch Stallings started his Duke career coming out of the bullpen.

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In his freshman year in 2015, he made 30 appearances, only one being a start and finished the year with a 3-4 record. Stallings has a 2.38 ERA with three saves and 54 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched.

For his great efforts in 2015, Stallings was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

Stallings remained in the bullpen in 2016, appearing in 27 games for the Blue Devils. Stallings finished his sophomore campaign with a 3-2 record and a 3.32 ERA. The strikeout numbers dropped, fanning only 23 batters in 30.2 innings pitched. However, Stallings was able to jump his saves from three to nine in 2016.

Entering his junior season, Stallings was promoted to the starting rotation and led the starting rotation in many statistical categories. His four wins led the team along with his 74 strikeouts and 76.0 innings pitched. Stallings posted a 4.50 ERA in his first season in Durham as a starter.

Stallings has kept his top starting spot this season as he is 4-5 with a 5.88 ERA. The lefty has tossed 93.1 innings and struck out 99 hitters. Despite the high ERA, Stallings was sensational in the Game 7 Regional Final against Georgia and followed that up with a very good start against Texas Tech in the Super Regional.

For his Blue Devil career, Stallings is 14-14 with a 4.48 ERA and 250 strikeouts. Stallings is only the 15th Duke pitcher to have a 200-plus strikeout career in Durham and the ninth Blue Devil to appear in 80 or more games on the mound.

If the Duke Blue Devils do not advance out of the Super Regionals it definitely was a great career for Mitch Stallings at Duke and hopefully, he continues his success within the Atlanta Braves organization.

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