VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova found itself being well-represented on the final day of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft as outfielder Chris Rotondo was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19^th round with the 577^th overall pick. He was the second Wildcat selected in the draft with teammate Cole Patten getting his name called by the Detroit Tigers in the 17th round.

Rotondo has been a five-year standout for Villanova, making his presence known as one of the program's top all-around players. He was a constant on the field for the Wildcats in his career, starting in 165 of his 177 games played. The All-BIG EAST First Team and ABCA/Rawlings East All-Region Second Team selection closed his career as a .292 career hitter and fielded at a .978 clip.

"Chris Rotondo has had an incredible baseball journey," Villanova head coach Kevin Mulvey said. "He has put in a great deal of sweat equity into his development as a person and as a baseball player. To see him rewarded with a Major League Draft selection is a godsend. We are beyond excited for him. Thanks for everything you have done for our program, Chris."

The Redding, Conn. native is the 73rd Wildcat overall to be selected since the draft began in 1965 and the sixth pick in Mulvey's six-year tenure. Villanova's latest duo of draftees mark the second consecutive year that at least two Wildcats were chosen in the draft, a feat that the program has seen 25 times since the draft began in 1965.

Rotondo's selection also continues Villanova's pipeline to St. Louis, becoming the fourth Wildcat to get the call from the Cardinals. Gordon Graceffo was chosen by the group in the 2021 draft with Max Almonte and Kyle Helisek getting nods in the 2015 and 2012 drafts, respectively. Additionally, he is the 11^th Villanova outfielder to be selected in the draft and the first since Matt Szczur and Justin Bencsko were both selected in the 2010 draft.

By the end of his career, Rotondo cemented his spot in the program record book in numerous categories both for a single season and career. In a single season, he is tied for ninth-most home runs (12) and eighth-most total bases (126) and intentional walks (3). On the career side, he moved into a tie for the most triples (15), 10th for doubles (42) and walks (100) and 12th for runs (139), home runs (20), total bases (320) and hit by pitches (29).

His final year saw him start in all 49 games that Villanova played, leading the team with a .359 batting average and .656 slugging percentage, both that were good enough for fourth-best in the BIG EAST. His 59 runs scored were tied for third in the league while he was fourth in total bases (126) and third for on-base percentage (.475). His three doubles in the season-finale against Creighton tied for the most in a single game in all of the BIG EAST this season

Rotondo led the team with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 32 walks and successfully stole base in 14 of his 17 attempts. He also had a team-high 18 games with multiple hits, five of those with at least three hits. In the field, he accounted for 120 putouts in 131 chances with a .962 fielding clip. Rotondo closed the season on a 24-game reached base streak, his longest of the season. He opened the campaign with a 20-game hitting streak, the longest in the last 20 years of Villanova Baseball, based on available records, and reached base in 50 games spanning this year and the 2021 season.