St. John's University Athletics
Tampa Bay Rays Call Up Joe LaSorsa
5/28/2023 10:02:00 AM | Baseball
The sixth-round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft becomes the 11th Johnnie since 2005 to reach The Show
QUEENS, N.Y. – Former St. John's baseball standout Joe LaSorsa had his contract selected by the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday morning, becoming just the 11th Red Storm draft pick to earn a call to The Show since 2005.
A 18th-round pick of the 2019 MLB Draft, LaSorsa joins the Rays in St. Petersberg, Fla., for today's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers with first pitch slated for 11:35 a.m. ET. He becomes the second Johnnie from the 2019 MLB Draft class to reach the Majors, joining former teammate Gavin Hollowell, who played for the Colorado Rockies in 2022. Additionally, LaSorsa will become the second Red Storm pitcher to make an appearance in the majors this season as Matt Carasiti made his season debut with the Rockies on May 21 against the Texas Rangers. The lefty is also slated to make his 100th professional appearance when he officially makes his MLB debut.
LaSorsa is in the midst of his fourth season within Tampa Bay's system, quickly jumping into Triple-A at the start of this 2023 campaign. After making just two relief appearances with Double-A Montgomery Biscuits and tossing three scoreless frames while surrendering just one hit, the former Red Storm standout had come on strong since his call up to the Durham Bulls. He posted a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in nine outings, three of which were starts. LaSorsa has held the opposition scoreless over his last 4.2 innings of work, dating back to his May 14 showing against the Charlotte Knights.
LaSorsa is also coming off his first appearance in the World Baseball Classic, taking on the world's best talent with Team Italy in 2023. The Johnnies' former hurler went viral for his enthusiastic celebration after a crucial strikeout late against the Netherlands.
During his tenure in Queens, LaSorsa produced a stellar junior season that saw him rank seventh in Division I with a 1.66 ERA and earn six wins in his first season as a starter. He struck out twice as many batters as he walked and limited opponents to a .199 batting average in 86.2 innings of work. This came after being a force out of the bullpen during his first two years in Queens, going 11-1 in 47 relief appearances with eight saves to earn a spot on the 2019 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Stopper of the Year Award watch list, presented to the best relief pitcher in college baseball.
A 18th-round pick of the 2019 MLB Draft, LaSorsa joins the Rays in St. Petersberg, Fla., for today's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers with first pitch slated for 11:35 a.m. ET. He becomes the second Johnnie from the 2019 MLB Draft class to reach the Majors, joining former teammate Gavin Hollowell, who played for the Colorado Rockies in 2022. Additionally, LaSorsa will become the second Red Storm pitcher to make an appearance in the majors this season as Matt Carasiti made his season debut with the Rockies on May 21 against the Texas Rangers. The lefty is also slated to make his 100th professional appearance when he officially makes his MLB debut.
LaSorsa is in the midst of his fourth season within Tampa Bay's system, quickly jumping into Triple-A at the start of this 2023 campaign. After making just two relief appearances with Double-A Montgomery Biscuits and tossing three scoreless frames while surrendering just one hit, the former Red Storm standout had come on strong since his call up to the Durham Bulls. He posted a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in nine outings, three of which were starts. LaSorsa has held the opposition scoreless over his last 4.2 innings of work, dating back to his May 14 showing against the Charlotte Knights.
LaSorsa is also coming off his first appearance in the World Baseball Classic, taking on the world's best talent with Team Italy in 2023. The Johnnies' former hurler went viral for his enthusiastic celebration after a crucial strikeout late against the Netherlands.
During his tenure in Queens, LaSorsa produced a stellar junior season that saw him rank seventh in Division I with a 1.66 ERA and earn six wins in his first season as a starter. He struck out twice as many batters as he walked and limited opponents to a .199 batting average in 86.2 innings of work. This came after being a force out of the bullpen during his first two years in Queens, going 11-1 in 47 relief appearances with eight saves to earn a spot on the 2019 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Stopper of the Year Award watch list, presented to the best relief pitcher in college baseball.
St. John's Baseball vs Villanova Highlights 5.11.25
Sunday, May 11
St. John's Baseball vs Villanova Highlights 5.10.25
Saturday, May 10
St. John's Baseball vs Iona Highlights 4.29.2025
Tuesday, April 29
St. John's Baseball vs Rutgers Highlights 4.22.2025
Tuesday, April 22