LHP Dustin Saenz selected in 4th round by the Washington Nationals
All Saenz point to The Show.
On Monday, the Washington Nationals selected Texas A&M left-handed pitcher Dustin Saenz in the 4th round, making him the 112th overall pick of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the Draft, Saenz ranked as MLB.com's No. 189 prospect among their top 250 draft-eligible players.
Saenz spent four years in College Station, finishing his collegiate career with a 10-7 record and a 3.60 ERA. Over his career, Saenz made 47 appearances, including 23 starts, and tossed 150.1 innings.
As a senior in 2021, the lefty transitioned into the Aggies' Friday night starter, a move made prior to A&M's showdown with Baylor in the Round Rock Classic. A victory over the Bears was the first of three consecutive wins for Saenz as he followed with a 7.2 innings outing over New Mexico State in which he struck out nine before dominating Samford across eight scoreless frames to go along with 14 punchouts.
Aside from that three-game winning streak, Saenz was unreliable during conference play. Against the SEC, he was 3-5 with a bloated 5.12 ERA. However, he capped 2021 with an eight-inning outing against LSU, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out eight Tigers in the Aggies' final victory of the season.
Saenz finished his senior season — his first in the Aggies' weekend rotation — with a 6-6 record and a 4.27 ERA. He struck out 104 batters and walked just 23 in 84.1 innings of work.
During his sophomore season, a young Saenz dazzled in front of a sold-out Disch-Falk Field as the lefty allowed just two runs across six innings of work, helping the Aggies defeat rival Texas, 9-6. That night in Austin, Saenz punched out six Longhorns and worked around three free passes en route to his second career victory.
The Corpus Christi King product relies heavily on his low-80s slider that has proven to get both lefties and righties out as well as his fastball that sits around 90-93 mph. When Saenz is on and can locate his stuff, he has shown the capability to be among the best in the nation.
Ryan Brauninger’s scout of Dustin Saenz
“A&M’s best pitcher in 2021. Smaller framed left-hander that spins the baseball extremely well. Fastball has great carry due to the spin rate and will sit in the 92-96 range. Curveball has good depth and shape. Flashed advanced defensive skills during his career, as well. His best attribute might be his competitiveness.”