In 2015, Naughton's freshman year at Virginia Tech, he pitched 44 innings, going 2–1 with a 4.91 ERA and 35 strikeouts. As a sophomore in 2016, he appeared in 15 games (making 14 starts) in which he compiled a 3–7 record and a 6.75 ERA.[4] That summer, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Harwich Mariners and was named a league all-star.[5][6][7] In 2017, as a junior at Virginia Tech, he pitched in 17 games (seven starts) in which he went 2–6 with a 6.24 ERA, striking out 63 batters in 57+2⁄3 innings.[8] After his junior year, he was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[9]
Professional career
Cincinnati Reds
Naughton signed with the Reds and made his professional debut with the Billings Mustangs of the Rookie AdvancedPioneer League.[10][11] Over 14 games (12 starts), he went 3–3 with a 3.15 ERA, striking out 63 batters in 60 innings and earning All-Star honors.[12][13] In 2018, he played with the Dayton Dragons of the Single-AMidwest League, pitching to a 5–10 record and 4.03 ERA over 28 starts.[14][15][16][17] He began 2019 with the Daytona Tortugas of the High-AFlorida State League, with whom he was named an All-Star, before being promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-ASouthern League in May, finishing the season there.[18][19][20] Over 28 starts between the two clubs, Naughton pitched to an 11–12 record with a 3.32 ERA, striking out 131 over 157 innings.[21]
On August 4, 2021, the Angels selected Naughton's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[26] At the time of his promotion, he had a 5.34 ERA over 55+2⁄3 innings pitched between Rocket City and Salt Lake.[27] On August 8, 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.[28] On September 1, 2021, against the New York Yankees, Naughton made his first career start, pitching 3+2⁄3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out two.[29] 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.[30]
On March 18, 2022, Naughton was designated for assignment by the Angels.[31]
St. Louis Cardinals
On March 21, 2022, Naughton was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals and joined the club's 40-man roster.[32] He was assigned to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-AInternational League to begin the 2022 season.[33] Naughton made his debut with the big league club on April 26, 2022, and pitched 1+1⁄3 scoreless innings against the New York Mets in a 0–3 loss.[34] Naughton made 26 appearances for the Cardinals, logging a 4.78 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 1 save in 32.0 innings pitched.
Naughton made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in 2023, as part of the team's bullpen.[35] He made 4 scoreless appearances for St. Louis before leaving an outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8 with an injury.[36] He was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 17 with a left forearm strain.[37] On June 28, Naughton underwent season–ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow.[38] On November 14, Naughton was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Memphis.[39]
References
^"Curveball: Packy Naughton's Journey from BLS to the MLB | Teens in Print". www.bostontip.com.
^Thomas [email protected]. "Major League could be within reach for West Roxbury native - News - Roslindale Transcript - Roslindale, MA". Roslindale.wickedlocal.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Interview with Packy Naughton - HUMAN LIMITS". Beatyourlimits.weebly.com. March 26, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^Berman, Mark. "Players from Virginia, Radford and Virginia Tech drafted | College". roanoke.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"#39 Patrick Naughton". pointstreak.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
^Matt Goisman. "Cape League Extra: Packy Naughton at home in Harwich - Sports - capecodtimes.com - Hyannis, MA". capecodtimes.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Eight Mariners And Three Anglers Set To Shine In Annual All-Star Game". Cape Cod Chronicle. July 20, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Cincinnati Reds' Draft Day Two - The Tribune | The Tribune". Irontontribune.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"MLB: Locals Matt Tabor, Packy Naughton, Will Toffey feel a draft – Boston Herald". Bostonherald.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Reds sign second, third draft picks". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^Neighbor, Fritz (August 4, 2017). "Cincinnati Reds' Packy Naughton undaunted in Billings". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Professional seasons wrapped up for 14 Hokies - Virginia Tech Athletics". Hokiesports.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^"Billings Mustangs start 2nd half of season with a victory | Pioneer League Baseball". 406mtsports.com. July 30, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2020.