Livingston High Alumnus Drafted By Cincinnati Reds

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY —Former Livingston High standout pitcher Ryan Cardona, who plays collegiately at Marist College, was selected Tuesday in the Major League Baseball Draft. Cardona was picked by the Cincinnati Reds in the 19th round, the 570th overall selection.

The deadline for players signing with the organization that drafted them is August 1.

On Twitter, Cardona posted a photo of him playing youth baseball, a message about what getting drafted means to him and indicated he was interested in joining the Reds organization.

"Grateful that I get the opportunity to continue my baseball career with the Reds," he wrote. "A childhood dream of mine that came true. Thanks to all that made it possible!"

A 6-foot-1, 180-pound righty, Cardona was a junior for the Red Foxes this past spring. For the season, he went 1-3 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts, striking out 28 in 29.2 innings of work.

In his three seasons at Marist, Cardona struck out 105 in 91.2 innings. Cardona pitched out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2019, leading Marist in saves (five) and appearances (21). He was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team.

"We are really happy for and proud of Ryan," Marist head coach Chris Tracz said. "He's dedicated himself to developing with hard work and perseverance. Going back to the recruiting process, this was a goal of his. To see him achieve it is personally gratifying knowing how much it means to him."

Cardona is the 20th Red Foxes player to be selected in the draft, and ninth in Tracz's 12 seasons as head coach, the school said.

According to ECCYCNJ.org, Cardona's standout high school career for the Livingston Lancers included finishing 10-0 with an 0.79 ERA as a senior in 2018. That season, he earned the victory in the Greater Newark Tournament championship game against Nutley and was a First-Team All-State selection by New Jersey Advance Media.

Cardona also was named the Charles Winter Male Athlete of the Year at Livingston High in 2018.