Elon’s Welhaf Inks Free Agent Deal With Detroit Tigers

ELON, N.C. – After concluding his Elon baseball career last month, right-handed pitcher Robbie Welhaf has agreed to a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.

In his senior season with the Phoenix, Welhaf made 24 relief appearances. He posted a 2.25 ERA with a 5-4 record and team-best six saves. Over 56.0 innings of work, the Doylestown, Pa., native struck out 61 hitters and held opponents to a .213 batting average. Over 6.0 innings in an outing against Radford, Welhaf struck out a career-best 12 hitters to earn a victory. After facing just 10 hitters, and striking out nine of them, Welhaf picked up a save in an appearance at Georgia Southern. Welhaf was the recipient of the team’s 2018 Danieley Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

As a junior, Welhaf threw Elon’s first no-hitter at the Division I level as he faced just one over the minimum and struck out eight in a win over Longwood. That performance earned him both CAA Pitcher of the Week honors as well as a trio of national pitcher of the week accolades.

Welhaf made 62 career appearances, including eight starts, in the maroon and gold. He ended his career with a 10-12 record, nine saves and a 4.56 ERA. He threw 144.0 innings and struck out 139 hitters in four seasons.

Welhaf becomes the third member of the 2018 Elon baseball team to get a shot at professional baseball. Pitcher Ryan Conroy was drafted in the eighth round of the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, while shortstop Ryne Ogren was chosen in the 12th round by the Seattle Mariners.