FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University baseball right hander Austin Pope is heading to the desert. Pope, who just completed his junior season with the Stags, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 15th round of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday afternoon.  The starter, who wore number 18 with Fairfield, became the 18th Stag all-time chosen in the draft.
 
"It's an amazing feeling," Pope said. "I spent it with the people who are closest to me, basically whole family. They were the ones who spent all the time with me and helped me along. My dad was the one driving with me to every single game and he put in so much time. My mom was always there for me, she would come to all of my games and if I ever had trouble I would call her. I can't even explain how much my aunt meant to me, I would call her every single day and she would always be there."
 
Pope was named to the All-MAAC Second Team after the 2019 regular season, his first postseason honor by the conference. He completed his junior campaign with a 4-3 record and a 3.18 ERA in his 14 starts. He led the starting rotation in ERA and batting average against at .201. Pope was also honored as among the best in New England with a NEIBA Second Team selection, as well.

"We are very proud of Austin for all his hard work," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "Austin came to Fairfield as a raw, big talent who needed to command the strike zone. He had a plus fastball and raw ability with his off speed. I'm proud with how hard he worked at commanding the strike zone and locating his pitches. Being drafted in the 15th round is an outstanding accomplishment."
 
In his career he has posted eight victories and has struck out 155 in 157.2 innings.
 
"It's a huge relief off my shoulder," Pope said. "You're waiting all day yesterday and all day today to hear the name and it's a little stressful. "It's obviously a bigger accomplishment and everyone in my family is happy, I'm happy. But this is just the beginning and I'm ready to start and get on the road."
 
Among his first calls after hearing the news was former Fairfield starter Gavin Wallace, who was the last Stag drafted in 2017 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wallace is now in his third season with the Pirates organization.
 
"Every time I've gone to a new spot, I want to be the best wherever I am," Pope said. "When I got to Fairfield I asked coach (Bill Currier) 'who should I model myself after, who's the best?' He said Gavin and I talked to him right after and I said 'you were a role model what should I do,' and that was a big help for me. I've learned from a small age to never cut yourself short and that's my same mentality. It's just a bigger stage but nothing has changed."
 
If Pope foregoes his senior season and signs with Arizona, he will report to one of the Diamondbacks' minor league camps.