VALDOSTA — Matt Costello had one of the single greatest seasons in Valdosta State baseball history, and the Milwaukee Brewers recognized it.
Costello was taken in the 35th round by the Brewers on Wednesday with the 1,066th overall pick in the MLB draft.
“Honestly, it was probably the most amazing moment of my life,” Costello said. “It’s a dream come true. Words can’t explain it. Playing baseball is the one thing that I love doing, and now I get paid to do it. You can’t beat that.”
In his one season at VSU in 2009, Costello had quite an impact. He was named the South Region Player of the Year while earning first-team All-America honors from Daktronics and second-team recognition from both Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Costello batted .462 this season, while scoring 65 runs and driving in 69. He collected 22 doubles, a triple and 11 home runs, had a .733 slugging percentage and tied an NCAA Division II record by hitting safely in 13 straight at-bats in March.
While his offense was astounding, Costello was drafted by the Brewers to be a left-handed pitcher. He was 9-3 on the mound during the year with a 3.67 ERA. He recorded two complete games, allowed 98 hits and struck out 83 batters in 98 innings.
“I told (Milwaukee’s scout) I’d be more effective as a pitcher,” Costello said. “I got a little lucky batting .462, and he said that’s exactly what he thought. I was told a couple scouts were interested in me as a hitter because the numbers were kind of crazy, but my best chances are as a pitcher.”
“(The Brewers) are getting a guy with a lot of upside who’s still going to get better,” VSU head coach Greg Guilliams said. “His fastball touches 90 (mph), he has a good changeup, he’s competitive and he’s a strike thrower.... He has such a good arm and he’s left-handed. There’s a shortage of quality lefties out there.”
Since VSU’s season ended on May 17, Costello has been resting his arm in his hometown of West Barnstable, Mass. He’s been playing in a summer collegiate league to stay fresh, but has only thrown one inning. Most of the time, he has been a designated hitter.
Costello was listening and watching the second day of the draft on his computer when he heard the name of fellow VSU teammate Brandon Graves being called by the San Francisco Giants. He stepped outside to call Graves and congratulate him, and actually missed hearing his own name being called 18 picks later.
“When I realized Graves was drafted, I was proud for him,” Costello said. “He deserved it more than anyone.”
Now it’s on to the next step. Costello will fly out to Phoenix, Ariz., this weekend for a physical. Shortly after that, he expects to be sent to Montana to play for the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of Milwaukee.
“My goal before was to get my foot in the door,” Costello said. “Now it’s to get to the big leagues. I played in the Cape Cod League, and they say that’s the equivalent to high-A. I think if I can get through high-A or AA, the sky is the limit.”
Scouts told Costello what he needs to work on most is developing a breaking pitch. At VSU, he relied mostly on his changeup, and he said he can currently touch 90-91 mph on his fastball.
After school ended, he drove up to South Carolina to throw a bullpen session for the Cincinnati Reds, where he worked on developing a slider.
“The slider was around 83 (mph) and touched 86 (mph),” Costello said. “There’s no telling where it’ll be in a couple of years.”
And, of course, his one year under Guilliams proved to be vital.
“Coach Greg has all kinds of ties,” Costello said. “He’s had tons of guys drafted before. Playing for him is unbelievable, because he can say a couple of words and scouts are there. I know he’s not at (VSU) to just be a pitching coach, but he’s an unbelievable pitching coach, and Coach Todd (Guilliams) is an unbelievable hitting coach. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them. I’d love to say thanks to everyone at VSU that helped me out.”
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Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State University's Matt Costello stands at first base during a game against Albany State last season.
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Being drafted a ‘dream come true’ for Costello
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