Ian Petrutz (third from right) poses with family members who are wearing St. Louis Cardinals gear to represent the rookie outfielder’s new team.
Sisters Kathy and Lisa Pontelandolfo decorated their signature Pot Man in baseball decor to congratulate Petrutz.
Mantua resident Ian Petrutz has been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Petrutz was selected in the 12th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft on day three, July 16.
“It was amazing,” said Petrutz’s mother, Lydine, “It’s something he’s been wanting to do since he was 8 years old. He worked hard for this. It was overwhelming for all of us and there was a lot of happy tears without a doubt.”
Petrutz grew up in Mantua and went to high school at Clearview Regional, before transferring to Bishop Eustace Prep School in Pennsauken. He was an outfielder during those days and was ranked as number two in his position in the state, as well as its number 22 overall prospect, according to the University of Alabama, where he attended his junior year of college.
After graduating high school in 2021, Petrutz played for the University of Maryland, transferring to Alabama for his junior year. During the 2024 season for the Crimson Tide, he recorded a batting average of .321, with 14 doubles, a triple and six home runs on the season, according to the university. He also recorded 40 RBIs, 42 runs scored and two stolen bases.
“We instilled in him his social skills, how to talk to people, and that you must shake everyone’s hand,” Lydine recalled. “You can’t instill the passion for baseball that he has. From the time he first picked up a ball, he’s been passionate. One of the best things we do was raise him, as parents.”
Mantua residents Kathy and Lisa Pontelandolfo decorated their signature pot man at Ponte’s Point with baseballs, bats and a baseball glove with a sign congratulating Petrutz.
“From Mantua to MLB”, the sign read. “Congratulations Ian Petrutz.”
After signing his rookie contract with the Cardinals on July 27, Petrutz is now in Palm Beach, Florida, training with the team’s single-A minor-league baseball affiliate, the Palm Beach Cardinals. There he will develop his skills until the Cardinals’ organization feels he is ready for the next level.
Petruz’s family is currently staying in nearby Jacksonville to help their other son, Gage, pursue his own baseball career.
“Maybe he’ll (Gage) get drafted next,” Lydine opined. “It’s been hard accepting our second-born (Petrutz) has turned into a man and will not need his mom and dad anymore, especially me as his mom. It’s been rough.
“Even though we will be here whenever he needs us, he is now starting his new chapter and we can’t be happier for him.”
