Description
Packy Naughton is a left-handed pitcher for the St Louis Cardinals. Naughton, a Boston native, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round out of Virginia Tech in 2017. Naughton’s ninth round selection is the highest for any Hokie since Mark Zagunis was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the third round (78th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft. Naughton has a career minor league ERA of 3.59 and 331 strikeouts in 371 innings. In 2019, he was the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Naughton was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on August 31st, 2020 for Outfielder Brian Goodwin.
The 23-year-old left-handed starter split time with both the Daytona Tortugas and the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2019. His season began in the Florida State League with Daytona where he made nine starts. In that stretch he posted a 2.63 ERA in 51.1 innings pitched with 9 walks and 50 strikeouts. His performance there earned him a quick promotion to Double-A. Once he arrived in Chattanooga he picked up where he had left off for the most part. He would make another 19 starts on the season – all for the Lookouts, throwing 105.2 innings for the Reds affiliate. His ERA over that span was 3.66 and he struck out 81 hitters with just 26 walks. Between his two stops he came in with a 3.32 ERA in 157.0 innings, just 10 home runs allowed, 35 walks, and he struck out 131 hitters.
Among the pitchers in the organization who threw at least 90 innings in 2019, Packy Naughton led in wins, ERA, innings, and walk rate. He was second in home run rate, strikeouts, and WHIP. He was third in strikeout-to-walk ratio. His best tool is the changeup in his three-pitch arsenal, which also features a fastball in the low 90s. His stellar season earned him the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Year Honors. He became one the Reds’ top prospects. Naughton was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on August 31st, 2020 for Outfielder Brian Goodwin.
On August 31, 2020, the Reds traded Naughton and Jose Salvador to the Los Angeles Angels for Brian Goodwin. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the pandemic. To begin the 2021 season, Naughton was assigned to the Rocket City Trash Pandas of the Double-A South. After one start, he was promoted to the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A West.
On August 4th, 2021, the Angels selected Naughton’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. At the time of his promotion, he had a 5.34 ERA over 55+2⁄3 innings pitched between Rocket City and Salt Lake. On August 8th, he made his major league debut in relief at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up one run, one hit, and two walks over one inning. On September 1st, 2021 against the New York Yankees, Naughton made his first career start, pitching 3+2⁄3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out two. Naughton finished the 2021 season with the Angels appearing in seven games (five starts) in which he went 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA, 14 walks, and 12 strikeouts over 22+2⁄3 innings. On March 18th, 2022, Naughton was designated for assignment by the Angels.
On March 21st, 2022, Naughton was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals and joined the club’s 40-man roster. He was assigned to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A International League to begin the 2022 season. Shortly thereafter, he was recalled by the St Louis Cardinals. In the 2022 Season, Naughton has pitched in 2 games for the Cardinals and has a 0.00 ERA.
The featured Billings Mustangs Zip Up New Balance Jacket was issued to Packy Naughton in 2017 as a member of the Mustangs. The talented pitcher wore this Jacket in the dugout. There are a few numbers written in black on the New Balance manufacturers tag on the inside of the jacket. This jacket was most likely previously worn by one of Packy’s former teammates. A lot of teams re-use jackets, shorts, sweatpants, etc. The jacket is unsigned and shows wear. Awesome and unique jacket worn by the Top Prospect!
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