Multiple Raiders Hear Their Name Called in MLB Draft
NICEVILLE, Fla. – Millions of children dream of hearing their name called on Draft Day from the time they pick up a ball. Those dreams came true for 4 former Raiders this week in the MLB Draft. RHP Jake Madden was drafted 118th overall in the 4th round by the Los Angeles Angels. RHP Dylan DeLucia was drafted 181st overall in the 6th round by the Cleveland Guardians. RHP Dylan Ross was drafted 389th overall in the 13th round by the New York Mets. RHP Graham Firoved was drafted 467th overall in the 16th round by the Baltimore Orioles.
Jake Madden, a 2nd team All-Panhandle selection, appeared in 12 games for the Raiders this past season and compiled a 4-4 record with a 4.53 ERA. He struck out 76 batters while only walking 24 through 47 2/3 innings. Madden threw a complete game shutout against Pensacola State College on April 20th, allowing 5 hits while fanning 10 batters and walking 2. He originally committed to the University of Alabama before hearing his name called on Monday afternoon.
Madden becomes the second-highest draft pick in Northwest Florida history behind only Jeff Farnsworth, who was taken 57th overall by Seattle in 1996. Farnsworth went on to pitch in 44 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2002.
Dylan DeLucia, a 2021 graduate of Northwest Florida, spent 2 seasons with the Raiders, earning 1st team All-Conference and 2nd team All-State. In his freshman year with the Raiders, DeLucia posted a 6-0 record with one save in 7 appearances. He threw 40 innings while registering a 0.67 ERA and recording 44 strikeouts. In his sophomore year, DeLucia appeared in 16 games, compiling a 9-2 record. He recorded a 2.48 ERA with 119 strikeouts. He played at Ole Miss this past season, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series en route to becoming a National Champion.
In his career with Ole Miss, DeLucia finished the season with an 8-2 record, posting a 3.68 ERA, and a 1.19 WHIP. DeLucia threw 95 1/3 innings, 105 strikeouts and only 26 walks.
Dylan Ross, also a 2021 graduate, spent one season with Northwest Florida State College, earning 2nd team All-Panhandle Conference. During his Raider career, Ross appeared in 12 games and posted a 6-2 record. He recorded a 3.88 ERA and threw 2 complete games. He also tallied 77 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings pitched. He went on to the University of Georgia where he was off to a promising start with 2 appearances and a 3.00 ERA. He pitched 5 innings against Albany, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 6 strikeouts. His next start, he was pulled from the game after 1 inning due to injury and missed the rest of the season.
Lastly, Graham Firoved, a 2020 graduate, spent one season with Northwest Florida. In the 2020 shortened season, Firoved had thrown 4 1/3 innings in 3 appearances and recorded 9 strikeouts. He then went on to play for Virginia Tech where he came in relief in 48 games over 2 years and posted a 4.40 ERA, while having a perfect 8-0 record over 71 2/3 innings.