[Kutztown Press Release] MINNESOTA TWINS SELECT KU’S McCARDELL IN 6th ROUND

[leiboff at kutztown.edu]

June 8, 2007

MINNESOTA TWINS SELECT KU’S McCARDELL IN 6th ROUND

KUTZTOWN, PA – Mike McCardell (sr. West Chester/Henderson) of the Kutztown University baseball team, was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft on Friday.  He was the 212th overall pick.

McCardell, a right-handed pitcher, was 7-3 with five saves and a 2.00 earned-run average in 21 appearances this season.  He struck out 86 and walked just 11 in 67.1 innings. 

For his career, he finished with a 2.82 ERA, second lowest in school history.  He holds the school record for saves (21), third in strikeouts (278), fourth in innings pitched (236.1) and  fifth in wins (20).

“I’m overjoyed for Mike,” KU head coach Chris Blum said.  “He’s surrounded by a great family, and I can’t thank Mike and his family enough.  They took a chance on Kutztown coming out of high school.  I had the pleasure of watching him over four years, to mature and become a truly outstanding player.   I can’t be happier for Mike and the entire McCardell family.”

McCardell is expected to report to the Twins’ training facility in the coming days.  He is the third pitcher from this year’s Golden Bear squad to move on to the professional ranks, joining  Matt Keller (independent Slippery Rock Sliders) and Jason Mills (Baltimore Orioles organization), who signed pro contracts last week. 

“It’s really exciting, because I’ve worked for this day for a long time,” McCardell said.  “I was told I may be selected anywhere from the 10th to the 15th round, so to be taken in the sixth round is just unbelievable.  I want to thank my parents for always being there for me and coming to all my games.  I also want to thank Kutztown University, Coach Blum and the rest of the baseball team for everything they’ve done for me.” 

 McCardell is the second-highest draft choice in KU history.  Only Ryan Vogelsong, who was taken in the fifth round in 1998, was a higher choice. 

He is the ninth Golden Bear since 1997 to be selected in the MLB first-year player draft.  McCardell joins nine other Golden Bears currently playing professional baseball, including four who play for MLB affiliated clubs - Ron Chiavacci (Tigers), Matt Maradeo (Cubs), Mills and Kyle Sadlowski (Cardinals).  Vogelsong, who joined the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese League this season, played for two Major League teams, the Pirates and Giants, from 2001-06. 

Kutztown set a school and PSAC record with 49 wins this season.  KU finished 49-7 overall, 19-1 in the PSAC East.  The Golden Bears won the PSAC East regular-season title and took the North Atlantic Regional crown, finishing eighth in the nation at the Division II College World Series.


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Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
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