BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — LIU shortstop
EJ Exposito and right-hander
Joshua Loeschorn's professional baseball careers are about to launch.
Exposito was drafted in the 16th round (485th overall) by the Atlanta Braves and Loeschorn was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round (590th overall) on Tuesday.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Exposito played every inning at shortstop and started every game in the No. 3 hole for LIU en route to Northeast Conference regular-season and postseason titles and an NCAA Regional berth in 2022. His 13 homers tied for third in a single season in program history.
The 6-3, 215-pound Loeschorn was the NEC Pitcher of the Year and a Collegiate Baseball second-team All-American. He finished this past season with 11 wins, second in a single season in program history, trailing only Sal Campisi's 12 wins in 1964.
"Seeing Josh and EJ selected in the MLB draft is a great day for our program," LIU baseball coach
Dan Pirillo said. "Both players started off their careers at the Division II level and made the most of their opportunities. I'm proud of both of these young men and thankful for all they gave us here at LIU. I know they both have their best days ahead of them."
LIU last had two players selected in 1994, when teammates Rich Hartmann and Matt Leach were taken in the 28th round, by the Cardinals and Twins, respectively.
Exposito played this summer with the Trenton Thunder in the MLB Draft League, handling shortstop and second base.
In a combined 106 starts between LIU and New York Tech over three collegiate seasons, Exposito hit .275 (114-for-414) with 22 homers and 81 RBIs.
He hails from Central Islip and attended St. John the Baptist High School.
Loeschorn hails from Butler, N.J., and began his career at LIU Post. He graduated summa cum laude with a 3.91 GPA and bachelor of science degree in computer science on May 10.
Exposito and Loeschorn are the second and third players selected in the MLB draft under Pirillo. They join Andrew Turner, who was drafted by the Miami Marlins in consecutive years, 2017 and '18 (40th and 39th rounds).
"Being drafted by the Braves in the 16th round means the world to me," Exposito said. "This has been my dream since I first started playing baseball at the age of 6. I've been working so hard and so long for this moment. And for my name to be called today, no words can describe the feelings that I have."
