Duke baseball ace Bryce Jarvis was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
As Major League Baseball and its Player’s Association continue to struggle to come to an agreement on a plan for the 2020 season, the league was able to have its First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday evening.
The 2020 MLB Draft was held remotely and virtually with players unable to attend the MLB Network headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey.
However, Commissioner Rob Manfred was in Secaucus to announce the draft plans of the next crop of future MLB All-Stars.
ALSO READ: Duke ace Bryce Jarvis named First Team All-American
With only the first round being held on Wednesday, 37 picks total, the draft was affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the normal 40-round event was trimmed down to just five rounds.
Salaries will also be significantly reduced for players drafted and those players who are hoping to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent.
Duke baseball ace Bryce Jarvis was selected with the No. 18 overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks, one year after the right-handed pitcher was selected by the New York Yankees in the 37th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, but opted to return to Durham for another season.
“With the 18th overall pick...” @BryceJarvis28 #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/hHOZiXvdPY
— Duke Baseball (@DukeBASE) June 11, 2020
Bryce Jarvis became the highest selection ever of a Duke Blue Devil in the MLB Draft and joined Marcus Stroman as the only two Blue Devils to be drafted in the first round.
Stroman even offered some words of encouragement for his fellow Blue Devil after he heard his name called.
Legend. Congrats bro. Can’t wait to see you in the show dealing! @BryceJarvis28 @DukeU @DukeBASE @DukeATHLETICS https://t.co/4zOjNgHeo8
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 11, 2020
Despite the shortened season because of the pandemic, Jarvis was named as a Collegiate Baseball First Team All-American after posting a 3-1 record with a 0.67 ERA and an astounding 40 strikeouts in only 27 innings pitched.
ALSO READ: Marcus Stroman doesn’t think MLB season looks promising
Jarvis also tossed the only perfect game in program history in a February 21 victory over Cornell.
Leaving Duke for the Diamondbacks, the Franklin, Tennessee native will end his carer with the Blue Devils with a 13-4 record, appearing in 48 games, making 20 starts, and posting a 2.81 ERA.