Rhode Island right-handed pitcher Lou Distasio was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 32nd round of the 2015 MLB Draft on June 10. The Yarmouth, Maine, native became URI’s 14th player drafted since 2003.

Identified as one of the Atlantic-10’s top prospects as well as one of the top prospects from New England, Distasio has been a two-year member of Rhode Island’s weekend rotation and tied for the team lead with six wins this year. He recorded a season-high nine strikeouts in URI’s 6-3 upset over 11th-ranked North Carolina, en route to earning A-10 Pitcher of the Week honors on March 2.

In three seasons with the Rams, Distasio has recorded 146 strikeouts opposite just 57 walks while averaging 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. He boasts a career opposing batting average of .246.

Distasio is the second Ram drafted by the Padres in recent years as San Diego selected Nick Greenwood in the 14th round of the 2009 Draft. Greenwood was later traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and went on to make his MLB debut in the summer of 2014.