Photo by: Connor Kvatek
Baseball’s Lombardi Drafted In Second Round By Kansas City Royals
Jul 13, 2025 | Baseball
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane pitcher Michael Lombardi was picked 61st overall in the second round by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night on the first day of the 2025 Major League Draft.
Lombardi, who worked as the team's closer as well as playing first base and center field in 2025, led the team and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with his 11 saves. He went 4-1 on the season with 2.14 ERA along with a team-leading 73 strikeouts in 42 innings worked while only surrendering 20 hits. He put together a career-best performance in the first round of the AAC Championship with a seven inning and 11 strikeout effort in earning the dominant victory over Florida Atlantic. He was named the AAC Pitcher of the Week on April 7 and also was named to the league's weekly honor roll four times throughout the campaign. His 11 saves as a junior tied him for eighth all-time at the school in a single season along with Christian Colletti (2017) and Brandon Belanger (2000).
Aa a hitter in 2025, Lombardi hit .273 with 34 runs scored, 38 hits, nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 29 RBIs, 63 totaled bases, five stolen bases plus 22 walks compared to just 17 strikeouts in 42 games played and 36 starts.
Lombardi accumulated a career record of 8-6 with an 3.82 ERA in his three years on the mound. In 61 career games and 11 starts, Lombardi fanned 154 batters in 113 innings worked plus totaled 16 saves. His 16 career saves ties him for the seventh-most in school history.
He is the first Tulane player selected in the 2025 draft, the first selected from the AAC this season, the fifth selection from the program over the last two seasons and the 136th player all-time. Lombardi is the highest draft choice for the Green Wave since outfielder Hudson Haskin was drafted in the second round (39th pick overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2020. His selection of 61st overall is the highest for a Tulane pitcher since Shooter Hunt was selected in the first round (31st overall) in 2008.Â
Lombardi is the seventh Tulane player ever selected by the Kansas City Royals following catcher Jim Gaudet (1976), pitcher Frank Wills (1980), second baseman John Zelenka (1983), pitcher Alex Massey (2016), third baseman Koedy Hoese (2018) and pitcher Jack Aldrich (2021).
Tulane went 33-25 in 2025 plus reached the AAC Championship Game for the third straight season. The program had five All-AAC selections on the year in Lombardi (P – 1st), Connor Rasmussen (2B – 1st), Gavin Schulz (DH – 2nd), Jason Wachs (All-Freshman) and Tanner Chun (All-Freshman). The team also had three chosen for the AAC's All-Tournament Team in Schulz, Tayler Montiel and Theo Bryant IV.
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Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming football, volleyball and basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes, and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                                Â
                                                ---TulaneGreenWave.com---
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Lombardi, who worked as the team's closer as well as playing first base and center field in 2025, led the team and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with his 11 saves. He went 4-1 on the season with 2.14 ERA along with a team-leading 73 strikeouts in 42 innings worked while only surrendering 20 hits. He put together a career-best performance in the first round of the AAC Championship with a seven inning and 11 strikeout effort in earning the dominant victory over Florida Atlantic. He was named the AAC Pitcher of the Week on April 7 and also was named to the league's weekly honor roll four times throughout the campaign. His 11 saves as a junior tied him for eighth all-time at the school in a single season along with Christian Colletti (2017) and Brandon Belanger (2000).
Aa a hitter in 2025, Lombardi hit .273 with 34 runs scored, 38 hits, nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 29 RBIs, 63 totaled bases, five stolen bases plus 22 walks compared to just 17 strikeouts in 42 games played and 36 starts.
Lombardi accumulated a career record of 8-6 with an 3.82 ERA in his three years on the mound. In 61 career games and 11 starts, Lombardi fanned 154 batters in 113 innings worked plus totaled 16 saves. His 16 career saves ties him for the seventh-most in school history.
He is the first Tulane player selected in the 2025 draft, the first selected from the AAC this season, the fifth selection from the program over the last two seasons and the 136th player all-time. Lombardi is the highest draft choice for the Green Wave since outfielder Hudson Haskin was drafted in the second round (39th pick overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2020. His selection of 61st overall is the highest for a Tulane pitcher since Shooter Hunt was selected in the first round (31st overall) in 2008.Â
Lombardi is the seventh Tulane player ever selected by the Kansas City Royals following catcher Jim Gaudet (1976), pitcher Frank Wills (1980), second baseman John Zelenka (1983), pitcher Alex Massey (2016), third baseman Koedy Hoese (2018) and pitcher Jack Aldrich (2021).
Tulane went 33-25 in 2025 plus reached the AAC Championship Game for the third straight season. The program had five All-AAC selections on the year in Lombardi (P – 1st), Connor Rasmussen (2B – 1st), Gavin Schulz (DH – 2nd), Jason Wachs (All-Freshman) and Tanner Chun (All-Freshman). The team also had three chosen for the AAC's All-Tournament Team in Schulz, Tayler Montiel and Theo Bryant IV.
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming football, volleyball and basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Â
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes, and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                                Â
                                                ---TulaneGreenWave.com---
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Players Mentioned
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