The MLB Draft is just around the corner, and lots of top prospects are meeting with their potential future employers to talk about why they should be selected. While that is happening, a very fringe prospect has taken to social media to voice his opinion on which team should not draft him this summer. Carl DeLonzo, a DIII pitcher with a career 4.65 ERA, took to Twitter/X to make his demands very clear to all: he does not want to go to the Athletics.
“I WILL NOT PLAY FOR THE ATHLETICS!!!! THANK YOU!!!” DeLonzo tweeted early Tuesday morning. The tweet has seen dozens of views and has turned the whole draft process upside down. DeLonzo is currently projected to be taken in the 35th round, and while it is extremely rare for players this late in the draft to even receive a contract offer, he is confident that a deal can get done with any MLB team. Any team besides the Athletics, that is.
“We are aware of the DeLonzo situation and will handle it accordingly,” Commissioner Rob Manfred stated in his emergency press conference this afternoon. “While it is unfortunate that any player would refuse to play for one of our 30 fantastic ballclubs, we understand that the Athletics organization may not be everyone’s cup of tea. We look forward to meeting with DeLonzo in person to see this matter resolved.”
The Athletics organization could not be reached for comment. Former A’s General Manager and current Senior Advisor Billy Beane made a comment on Twitter/X that DeLonzo would not be considered because “he doesn’t get on base.”
The 9 Hole 