Pair of Duke relievers picked on second day of MLB draft
Charlie Beilenson picked up by Seattle, Nick Conte scooped up by Detroit
Duke’s best reliever over the past two seasons was drafted in the fifth round of the MLB draft, while a seldom-used reliever was drafted in the eighth round on Monday afternoon.
Charlie Beilenson was picked by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round, 154th overall. Nick Conte was snagged in the eighth round, 227th overall, by the Kansas City Royals.
Beilenson was a finalist for Stopper of the Year this past season, going 7-3 with a 2.01 ERA and 12 saves. The durable right-hander had 92 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .181 batting average.
In 2023, Beilenson set Duke’s program record by appearing in 39 games. Beilenson transferred to Duke after spending four years at Brown University.
The signing bonus slot value for the 154th pick is $431,400.
Conte spent four seasons at Duke and only pitched in 20 games; 10 of them as a freshman in the 2021 season. The 5-10, 200-pounder appeared in seven games this past season, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA across six innings. He missed the 2023 season because of an injury.
The signing bonus slot value for the 227th pick is $235,900.