Twins Pick LHP Tyler Jay In First-Year Player Draft
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have selected left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay from the University of Illinois in the first round of the 2015 first-year player draft.
Minnesota chose Jay with the sixth overall selection.
The 21-year-old junior becomes the second-highest drafted player in University of Illinois history, and the highest since shortstop Jim Vopicka was taken fifth overall in the 1966 draft by the Angels.
The native of Lemont, Illinois, posted a record of 5-2 with a 1.08 ERA, 76 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 appearances (two starts) for the Illini this season.
In 2015, the 6-foot-1 left-hander was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American. The Illini closer holds the school record for saves in a single season (14, 2015) and in a career (24).
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