Jacob Steinmetz believed to be first practicing Orthodox Jewish player drafted by MLB team

Seventeen-year-old right-handed pitcher Jacob Steinmetz hasn't yet appeared in a pro game but has already made some history. 

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Steinmetz in the third round (77th overall) on Monday and, in the process, made him the first known practicing Orthodox Jewish baseball player to be selected by an MLB team. 

Per Zach Braziller of the New York Post, Steinmetz is from Woodmere, Long Island, and has a fastball that's been clocked at 97 mph. The 6-foot-6, 224-pound teenager does play during the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays but keeps the Sabbath and eats only Kosher food. He does not ride in a vehicle from sundown Friday until sunset on Saturday and instead arranges travel ahead of time and then walks to games that occur over that period. 

"It’s never been frustrating to me," Steinmetz said of practicing his faith while pursuing an MLB career. "It’s just something I’ve always done. It makes me who I am. It’s definitely made [my life] different, but in a good way." 

No practicing Orthodox Jewish player has ever featured for an MLB team, but Steinmetz will look to eventually change that.