Six Tar Heels Taken On Day Three Of MLB Draft

CHAPEL HILL --- Six Tar Heels were drafted on the third day of the 2019 MLB Draft, bringing the total to nine total Diamond Heels taken in the 2019 MLB Draft, just one shy of the program record set in 2018.

Ike Freeman (Cleveland Indians: Round 14, Pick 430)

Freeman, a standout infielder during his time in Chapel Hill, was the first Tar Heel pick of Wednesday's action. The junior is batting .294 for Carolina this season and has a career .287 average. Over the past two seasons, he's driven in 99 runs and has been a lock-down presence on defense for the Tar Heels.

Brandon Martorano (San Francisco Giants: Round 16, Pick 476)

UNC's top catcher was taken off the board in the 16th round, headed to the west coast. In addition to his .254 average with eight round-trippers this season, Martorano has been a steady option behind the dish for the Tar Heels in 2019. He's taken over the starting role and has been consistent for Carolina's staff.

Ashton McGee (Milwaukee Brewers: Round 18, Pick 553)

McGee, with a .285 career batting average in Chapel Hill, came off the board just a few rounds later. He's slugged six home runs and driven in 41 RBI on the season and has provided the Tar Heels with strong defense across the diamond. The 2017 ACC Freshman of the Year has seen time at third base, second base, left field and right field so far this year.

Hansen Butler (Chicago White Sox: Round 25, Pick 740)

One of the standout stories of the Carolina season, Butler saw his name come off the board in the 25th round. After struggling in 2018, the right-hander has been dominant in his senior campaign. Over 20 innings, he's allowed just 12 hits and posted a 1.80 ERA. He's struck out 29 over that period.

Joey Lancellotti (New York Yankees: Round 34, Pick 1035)

Lancellotti has been electric out of the bullpen for the Tar Heels in his sophomore season. The hard throwing right-hander is 6-2 with three saves and a 2.08 ERA in 25 appearances. A native of Philadelphia, Penn., he has thrown 2 or more innings in 16 of his last 19 relief outings and has only given up two earned runs in his last eight outings. In those eight outings, he has a 1.26 ERA with a 2-0 record and two saves with 16 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.

Gianluca Dalatri (Detroit Tigers: Round 40, Pick 1192)

A preseason All-American for the second consecutive season, Dalatri began the year as the Friday night ace for the Tar Heels before undergoing season ending hip surgery. In his six appearances in 2019, the junior from New Jersey was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA with 35 strikeouts and just eight walks. In his Tar Heel career, he is 10-6 with a 3.12 ERA with 151 strikeouts and only 34 walks in 156 innings pitched.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Hansen Butler

Gianluca Dalatri

Ike Freeman

Joey Lancellotti

Brandon Martorano

Ashton McGee

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