MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Dreams came true on Monday in Middletown as pitcher Ryan Andrade heard his name called in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.

Andrade was picked in the seventh round of the draft, 216th overall, by the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Andrade, a right-handed pitcher, is coming off his junior season at the University of Pittsburgh, where he threw 63 innings. Andrade says his experience at the university showed him what he could accomplish.

“Going out there, pitching on Fridays against some of the best hitters and players in the country, it really allowed me to show what I could do,” Andrade told 12 News last week. “And that’s why I’m here today.”

He spent the first two years of his collegiate career at the University of Rhode Island before transferring to Pitt for his junior year.

Andrade wasn’t the only Rhode Island tie in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Nick Conte of North Providence, is heading to Kan s as City after getting drafted by the Royals in the eighth round. He spent four seasons at Duke University.

Coventry native Jayden Voelker also heard his name called in round eight of the draft. He will be joining Andrade in Tampa after finishing his collegiate career at Northern Essex Community College.

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