News Summary
Philadelphia Phillies have drafted pitcher Richie Cortese in the 17th round of the MLB amateur draft. Cortese, from Lander University, showcases impressive statistics from his collegiate career, contributing significantly to his team’s success. His journey reflects the potential of players from Montana and strengthens the recognition of Lander University’s baseball program.
Philadelphia – Pitcher Richie Cortese has been selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 17th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball amateur draft, making him the 521st overall pick. This selection adds to the Phillies’ prospects and highlights Cortese’s impressive baseball journey from local Maryland circuits to collegiate and now professional baseball.
Cortese, a right-handed pitcher standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, previously played collegiate baseball for the Lander University Bearcats in Greenwood, South Carolina. He spent the last two seasons at Lander after transferring from Dickinson State University in North Dakota, where he played as a two-way player for two years. His performance in the senior season of 2025 proved pivotal, as he appeared in 14 games, striking out 30 batters over 16.2 innings pitched, maintaining a .200 batting average against while allowing nine earned runs and issuing 14 walks.
The Lander Bearcats baseball team had a triumphant season, finishing with a 43-15 record. During this season, Cortese played a vital role, contributing to the team winning the Peach Belt Conference tournament title for the first time since 2014 and securing an NCAA tournament victory for the first time in nine seasons. In that tournament game, Cortese executed a stellar performance, pitching the final two innings and recording four strikeouts.
Cortese’s selection marks a significant milestone for Lander University, as he becomes the 13th player in the school’s history to be drafted into Major League Baseball. He now joins teammate Tyler Bowen, who was drafted in the 12th round by the Phillies, reflecting a growing recognition of the Bearcats’ baseball program.
Hailing from Montana, Cortese is part of a recent trend of players from the state entering the professional ranks. He follows in the footsteps of Hunter Omlid, a Missoula native who was selected in the 20th round of the previous year’s draft by the Colorado Rockies. Cortese’s achievements on the baseball field were significantly shaped during his time with the Laurel Dodgers, a Class A American Legion team, where he established himself as a standout player and helped his team secure an Eastern A district title with a remarkable batting average of .598. Under coach Doug Studiner, Cortese’s contributions and those of his teammates were key to the Dodgers’ overall success.
In addition to his time on the mound, Cortese’s approach and technique at the plate benefited from his collegiate experience. This dual experience not only refined his mechanics but also enhanced his capability to impact games from multiple facets, creating pressure for opposing pitchers who often sought to evade facing him directly.
Overall, Richie Cortese’s selection by the Phillies speaks volumes about his potential and the promising future ahead as he joins the ranks of professional athletes striving for success in Major League Baseball. As the Phillies look to nurture this talent, both Cortese’s and Bowen’s stories stand as testaments to the strength of college baseball programs and local talent development in Montana.
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Additional Resources
- Montana Sports: Richie Cortese Selected by Philadelphia Phillies
- Google Search: Richie Cortese
- Montana Sports: Big Bat of Richie Cortese
- Wikipedia: Minor League Baseball
- 406mtsports: Billings Royals Teammates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- KULR8: Laurel Dodgers Selling Out for a Title
- Google News: Laurel Dodgers
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
