After going undrafted in last month's MLB draft, former Duke second baseman Andy Perez has signed with the Boston Red Sox, becoming the latest Blue Devil to agree to terms with a major league club.
Right-hander Michael Matuella—taken in the third round of the MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, 78th overall—received a $2 million signing bonus in mid-June. Matuella's junior campaign was cut short after he underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-April and tumbled down the draft board after beginning the season as a projected top-five pick, but he was still handsomely compensated by his new team.
Relief pitcher Sarkis Ohanian signed with the Cincinnati Reds after being selected in the ninth round of the draft. The right-hander from Boynton Beach, Fla., enjoyed a career year as a senior, posting a 1.97 ERA and racking up 62 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected hometown prospect Kenny Koplove in the 17th round, enticing Duke's shortstop and closer to forgo his senior season to enter the Phillies' minor league system. Koplove racked up 11 saves and allowed just six earned runs in 21 appearances last season on the mound, and also hit .275 at the plate.
Thrust into a weekend rotation spot by the injuries to Matuella and southpaw Trent Swart, right-hander Andrew Istler was Duke's most consistent presence on the mound, and parlayed a successful senior campaign into a 23rd round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After signing with the Dodgers June 18, Istler was assigned to the Ogden Raptors, where he has a 1-0 record despite being touched up for 11 runs in 9 1/3 innings.
Right-hander James Marvel—the first of three Blue Devil to undergo Tommy John surgery since the start of the 2014 season—signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being selected in the 36th round. The redshirt sophomore sat out the 2015 campaign, and his Duke career comes to a close with a 6-4 record and 2.94 ERA in 67 1/3 innings.
Perez was the only Blue Devil to start every game for head coach Chris Pollard in 2015 and will join former Duke slugger Jordan Betts in the Red Sox organization. He was a menace on the basepaths in Durham, leading the ACC with a program-record 35 stolen bases as a senior and hitting .290 with 20 extra-base hits.
This post was updated at 12:40 a.m. Thursday to include Marvel's signing with the Pirates.
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