The Falcons congratulate righthanded pitcher Griffin Naess who was selected in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago Cubs.

He spent the 2023 summer at Elks Stadium, the following his high school graduation just days prior. He finished with an ERA of 1.68 over the course of 16 innings and struck out nine and was 2-1 on the season allowing only three earned runs. Those two wins came a week apart both against the Edmonton Riverhawks and he didn’t allow a run.

He was scheduled to return to the Falcons following his freshman season at Cal Poly in 2024 but ultimately stayed home in Laguna Beach, California to rest his arm after the heavy workload in the spring. As a true freshman he finished an eye-popping 7-0 with a 3.58 ERA on his way to the Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and All-Big West honourable mention praise.

Naess continues to be a force on the bump for Cal Poly, earning this draft selection.

Congratulations Griffin!

Photo courtesy of Tami Quan Photography