RHP Aaron Shortridge is drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates!

Big congrats to right-handed pitcher for the California Golden Bears Aaron Shortridge for being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, 114th overall! Unfortunately, Pittsburgh still has to learn how to spell “Berkeley”. Or that we really prefer to omit that for athletics.

As a sophomore in 2017, Shortridge had the team’s best ERA at 1.99 (players with a minimum of 10 appearances). That year, he had 16 strikeouts, 8 walks, and left opposing batters with a 0.235 batting average.

This season, Shortridge was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week for a season-ending shutout against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The honor comes on the heels of a tremendous complete game shutout performance in Cal’s season-ending victory at Arizona State. Shortridge allowed just six hits, walked only one and struck out five to help Cal conclude the year with a 3–0 win over the Sun Devils.

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After starting the year as one of Cal’s top options in the bullpen, Shortridge moved into the rotation in early March and never looked back. He took the role of Sunday starter and turned in a consistent effort nearly every week to give the Bears’ a chance at a win on the back end of every series.

That consistency resulted in some impressive final numbers as Shortridge finished with a 5–3 record and 2.77 ERA. He struck out 74 and walked only 14 in 91 innings of work and also recorded two saves.

Shortridge joins his teammate, fellow pitcher, and Cal roommate Tanner Dodson as Bears who were selected in this year’s draft.

Good luck and go Bears!