DURHAM, NC – Nick Ammirati (pictured) may have gone undrafted out of Mississippi State University this year, but he is about to get his chance in affiliated ball. The American Association has announced that the St. Paul Saints’ catcher has had his contract purchased by the Seattle Mariners.
Earlier this spring, Ammirati helped the Mississippi State Bulldogs to their best season in program history. The team’s starting catcher hit .246 with a home run and 23 RBI, as the Bulldogs reached the College World Series finals for the first time. Behind the plate, Ammirati threw out 41 percent of potential base stealers.
Before he started at Mississippi State and long before signing with the Saints, Ammirati was a 46th round selection of the Florida Marlins out of high school in 2009. The catcher declined to sign and instead began his collegiate career as a member of the Seton Hall University Pirates. Ammirati threw out five base-runners and hit .296 in Big East play, but moved on the next season to Panola College in Texas. After hitting .280 in 40 games with Panola, Ammirati transferred to Mississippi State to play his final two collegiate seasons in the Southeastern Conference.
The Saints signed Ammirati on July 9, less than a month after Mississippi State’s historic season came to a close in Omaha. Ammirati saw limited action for St. Paul, appearing in just five games. But, the Mariners were impressed enough to buy his contract from the American Association North Division club. Seattle is expected to send Ammirati to the rookie-level Arizona League where he will play until he receives further assignment.
Photo courtesy of Emily Robertson/St. Paul Saints