NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, July 13, 2026: Georgia Tech relief pitcher Mason Patel has signed with the Athletics organization as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, marking another milestone for Indian representation in professional baseball.
Patel, one of college baseball’s top relief pitchers over the past two seasons, becomes the fourth player with the surname Patel to sign a professional MLB contract, joining Karan Patel (Chicago White Sox, 2019), Dinesh Patel (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2009), and Manny Patel (Seattle Mariners, 1993).
The right-hander capped an outstanding collegiate career at Georgia Tech, where he became the first Yellow Jackets pitcher in program history to be named a finalist for the National Stopper of the Year Award, presented annually to the nation’s top relief pitcher.
After emerging as one of the country’s most dominant bullpen arms in 2025, Patel returned in 2026 and continued his stellar form despite an injury-shortened season. He threw 13.2 scoreless innings, posting a perfect 0.00 ERA while recording four saves.
In 2025, Patel earned Second Team All-America honors after compiling an 11-2 record with five saves. His 11 victories set a Georgia Tech record for the most wins in a season by a pitcher who did not make a start, underscoring his value as the team’s shutdown reliever.
Although Patel was not selected during the 20-round MLB Draft, he quickly reached an agreement with the Athletics as an undrafted free agent, giving him an opportunity to begin his professional career in the organization’s minor league system.
His signing also represents another step forward for the small but growing number of players of Indian heritage in affiliated professional baseball. Patel joins Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Arjun Nimmala and Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker among the few current players of Indian descent in the professional ranks.
The son of Indian immigrants, Patel has frequently spoken about embracing both his heritage and his passion for baseball, a sport in which South Asians have historically been underrepresented in the United States.
For Georgia Tech, Patel’s signing adds another professional success story to its baseball program and highlights the development of one of the nation’s premier relief pitchers over the past two seasons.
As he begins his professional career with the Athletics, Patel will look to continue the dominance that made him one of college baseball’s most reliable bullpen arms and an inspiration for aspiring Indian American baseball players across the country.
Cover photo courtesy of @GT_baseball/IG.
