Pro Baseball: Ladue's William Piwinca-Worms Signs With the Nationals

By the Duke University Public Relations Staff:

Duke seniors William Piwnica-Worms and David Putman have both signed Major League Baseball contracts, becoming the Blue Devils' 13th and 14th active players in professional baseball. Piwnica-Worms inked a deal with the Washington Nationals while Putnam signed on with the Chicago White Sox.

This past season Piwnica-Worms, an outfielder from Ladue Horton Watkins led the Blue Devils in five offensive categories including hits (53), home runs (7), triples (4), RBI (39) and slugging percentage (.514), while also ranking in the top-20 in the ACC in home runs, triples and slugging percentage. A career .296 hitter, Piwnica-Worms totaled 57 doubles and 15 triples in his four seasons with the Blue Devils to rank tied for third and fourth, respectively, in the Duke record books. In addition, he sits at 10th all-time in the school records, swiping 42 stolen bases and knocking in 144 RBI during his career.

A 6-1, 215-pound right-hander, Putman overcame an injury early in his career to become one of Duke's top relievers as a junior and senior. In 2012, he made 24 appearances and posted a 2.76 ERA while striking out 40, both career-bests. During his four-year career, Putman made 47 appearances, totaling 53 innings and 64 strikeouts in that span. The Doylestown, Pa., native also posted a 5.26 career ERA to go along with eight saves.

The Blue Devil pair becomes the second and third Duke players to move on to the professional ranks this year joining Marcus Stroman, the 22nd overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. In addition, Piwnica-Worms unites with former Duke teammate Ben Grisz, who signed with the Nationals as an undrafted free agent following the 2011 season, while Putman joins former Blue Devil Jim Gallagher, a seventh round pick by the White Sox in 2007.