July 17, 2024

Former Trojan Barbieri signs free-agent contract with Nationals

Former NIACC baseball player Francesco Barbieri signed a free-agent contract Wednesday with the Washington Nationals organization.

The 20-round 2024 Major League Baseball Draft concluded on Tuesday. Non-drafted players were free to start signing free-agent contracts with organizations after the draft concluded.

Barbieri, an outfielder from Brampton, Ontario, played at NIACC in the 2021 season. He hit .256 with three doubles, three triples, two home runs and drove in 11 runs.

After NIACC, Barbieri transferred to Ave Marie University, a NAIA school in Ave Marie, Fla.

In his senior season at AMU, Barbieri earned third-team NAIA all-American honors becoming the first player in more than a decade to be named a baseball All-American at Ave Maria, and just the third all-time.

Barbieri was named the SUN Conference Player of the Year, leading the league in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, walks, triples and home runs. He also set the single-season record for walks and home runs and tied the record with just the second three-home run game in AMU history.

In addition to his spot as the Sun Conference Player of the Year, the All-American was also an Academic All-Sun Conference, CSC Academic All-District, and Sun Conference All-Tournament Team selection.

In his final collegiate season, Barbieri hit .374 with 18 home runs, 10 doubles, five triples and 42 RBIs.

During the 2024 MLB Draft, three former NIACC pitchers were selected.

On Monday, left-handed pitcher Connor Wietgrefe was a seventh-round pick (204th overall pick) by the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-handed pitcher Ryan Lambert was an eighth-round selection (233rd overall pick) by the New York Mets. Wietgrefe and Lambert both pitched for the Trojans in the 2022 season.

On Tuesday, right-handed pitcher Brandt Thompson was selected in the 17th round (501st) by the St. Louis Cardinals.

NIACC MLB DRAFT PICKS

2005 - Steve Salas (RHP) - 22nd round by the Los Angeles Angels

2016 - Malique Ziegler (OF) - 22nd round by the San Francisco Giants

2017 - Robbie Glendinning (SS) - 21st round by the Pittsburgh Pirates

2018 - Luke Becker (2B) - 9th round by the San Diego Padres

2018 - Evan Reifert (RHP) - 30th round by the Texas Rangers

2018 - Brandon Williamson (LHP) - 36th round by the Milwaukee Brewersw

2019 - Brandon Williamson (LHP) - 2nd round by the Seattle Mariners, 59th overall pick.

2019 - Bryce Ball (1B) - 24th round by the Atlanta Braves.

2019 – Harrison Beethe (RHP) - 39th round by the Milwaukee Brewers.

2021 - Harrison Beethe (RHP) - 18th round by the Kansas City Royals.