Los Angeles Angels select Auburn first baseman Sonny DiChiara in 2022 MLB Draft

Sonny DiChiara caught the attention of every college baseball fan across the nation during Auburn‘s run to the College World Series. The powerful slugger will now look to attract even more fans after he was selected with the No. 148 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft on Tuesday.

DiChiara began his collegiate career at Samford, hitting 41 home runs in three seasons there. After the 2021 campaign, he decided to transfer to Auburn, where he emerged into even more of a star.

During the 2022 season, DiChiara hit .384 with 22 home runs and 59 RBI. He struck out 55 times and drew 68 walks, and reached base at a .549 clip while slugging .777 for an impressive OPS of 1.326.

DiChiara put himself on the national spotlight at Auburn

As Auburn played in the College World Series, DiChiara continued to be talked about across the country. In one game in Omaha, his parents were interviewed and opened up on their son’s success.

Contrary to popular belief, Sonny DiChiara’s true name isn’t actually Sonny DiChiara.

“He’s named after my mother’s father, and that was his nickname – Sonny,” his mother said. “And so we’ve used that as Sonny’s name, even though it’s not his true, given birth name. But we’ve always called him that, he’s never gone by anything else.”

Transferring to Auburn was a big move for DiChiara, and he overcame a lot to reach this point in his baseball career. In Omaha, DiChiara’s father opened up on the accomplishments Sonny has had and what it means to see his hard work translate into success.

“Just his accomplishments for one,” Mike DiChiara said. “And then he’s done it the hard way. He’s earned everything he’s got. It makes me proud.

“Well he’s matured in everything really. When you come up as a freshman, you don’t really know what’s gonna happen or anything. But he’s handled it with the best and he’s learned every year and gotten better every year.”