FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas closer Matt Cronin's father, John, paced the floor and scrolled on his laptop every so often Tuesday to keep track of the players being selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Cronin, who watched the draft at his home alongside his parents and girlfriend, said his father was probably the most nervous person in the room. In the fourth round, the sigh of relief came, and the Washington Nationals made Cronin their fourth-round pick.
His position in the draft - pick No. 123 - has a suggested signing bonus value of $464,500.
"It was two long days. Just a long time sitting by the phone being nervous," Cronin said Wednesday. "But it’s the major league draft. Things can change in a hurry, and you never know."
Shortly after hearing his name called, he picked up the phone and dialed his grandparents.
"They started to cry a little bit," Cronin said with a smile. "It was just awesome."
All in all, Tuesday was a dream come true for Cronin, the left hander whose 27 career saves are second-most in program history behind Phillip Stidham, who finished with 33 over three seasons. Cronin set the school's single-season saves record with 14 in 2018 and notched No. 12 in 2019 in Arkansas' 3-1 win over TCU on June 1.
Somewhat quietly, Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said Wednesday, his closer has put together another strong season. Opponents are batting just .163 against him and he holds a 2.00 ERA in 23 appearances spanning 27 innings.
"I was excited for Matt. He’s done a good job and he’s having a really good year," Van Horn said. "He’s thrown more strikes this year than he did last year. His velocity is the same, maybe a little better.
"He’s actually got a little bit of a breaking ball now. Just happy for him and his family."
Cronin's save opportunity against the Horned Frogs last Saturday was also his first NCAA Tournament appearance since Game 2 of the College World Series final against Oregon State last June in which he allowed three earned runs - including a go-ahead two-run home run - on a pair of hits in 1 2/3 innings pitched.
Cronin, though, is staying within himself and leaving the past behind him. So far this postseason, he's not allowed an earned run in three outings. And Saturday against TCU, 10 of Cronin's 17 pitches in the ninth inning reached 95 mph on the in-stadium radar gun.
"He needs to be pitching in a higher league," Horned Frogs coach Jim Schlossnagle said of Cronin. "It's fun when you have a guy going out there throwing that hard and throwing strikes. He's awesome.
"It's fun to watch, but not fun to watch from our dugout."
Another aspect of Cronin's game that is intriguing is his ritual prior to exiting the bullpen for an appearance. Arkansas' bullpen coach - former Razorbacks closer Colby Suggs last season and Doug Willey in 2019 - is charged with slapping Cronin across his cheek.
Cronin has former Arkansas pitching coach Wes Johnson, now with the Minnesota Twins, to thank for the idea.
"There were studies - I don’t know all the logistics of it - but when people would get slapped in the face or back, they would get power increases for a short stint of time," Cronin said. "I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m a closer. I only need it for a short stint of time. Let’s do it.’"
Cronin added that he specifically has the bullpen coach apply the slap for an important reason. He doesn't want to give a teammate that kind of power over him.
Cronin sees himself continuing the routine even after his Razorbacks career comes to a close.
"I think the fans kind of love it a little bit and I think it's just kind of a tradition and superstition you've got to stick with," he said. "I'm sure plenty of people (in professional baseball) will be happy to slap me."
Now, following a whirlwind last few days, Cronin and the Razorbacks' bullpen, which saw three pitchers drafted, are turning their attention to 12-seed Ole Miss, which won three of five games against Arkansas in 2019 during the regular season and SEC Tournament.
"When it comes down to it you’re getting out on that baseball field and you’re going to lock in and play baseball," Cronin said. "That’s what we love to do, and that’s what we’re going to do.
"I'm just focused on Hog baseball the next few weeks and trying to bring home a championship."