The Chicago Cubs selected Manheim Central graduate and current Saint Joseph’s pitcher Colton Book in the ninth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball amateur draft Monday afternoon.
The Cubs plucked the left-hander with the 271st overall pick. Book was the first Hawk to hear his name called Monday.
As a senior for the Barons, Book helped pilot a trip to the 2021 PIAA Class 5A semifinals, a Lancaster-Lebanon League title and an overall 25-3 record. He was the ace of the staff, recording a 9-1 mark, a 1.80 ERA and 92 strikeouts across 58 2/3 innings. The Central standout doubled as a prolific hitter, batting .328 with five doubles, four home runs and 32 RBIs.
Book posted similar eye-popping numbers as a starting pitcher this spring at Saint Joe’s, with six wins, a 3.53 ERA and 122 punchouts over 86 2/3 innings. He added one complete game and one shutout en route to claiming the Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year award.
The Hawks finished their 2025 campaign at 24-28. They bowed out of the Atlantic 10 Tournament following back-to-back losses to Davidson (18-3) and George Mason (11-7).
Book joins a short list of Central players to be selected in the MLB draft. Tim Becker stood alone after being selected twice — first in 1983 to the Toronto Blue Jays (22nd round) followed by a sixth-round ticket to the New York Yankees in 1986.
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