MLB Draft Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nick Keener Selected by L.A. Dodgers in 10^th Round of 2013 MLB Draft

SECAUCUS, N.J. – Mansfield University right-handed pitcher Nick Keener has been selected as the 304^th overall pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10^th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft. The selection was announced by legendary Dodgers' manager and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Lasorda from the MLB Network's Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J.

“I'm overwhelmed that the Dodgers' organization drafted me in the 10^th round” explained Keener after learning of his selection. “They told me it would probably happen in rounds 20-30, but to be taken this early is just incredible.”

Keener becomes the first Mountaineer to be selected by an MLB team since Eric Baker was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 28^th round during the 2005 draft. His 10^th round selection is the highest for a Mansfield athlete since Tim Persing was taken in the seventh round in 1990 by the Minnesota Twins.

The selection makes Keener the 51st Mountaineer baseball player to be drafted to a professional organization since 1969. It marks the 28^th time a player under the tutelage of Mansfield head coach Harry Hillson has been drafted into the professional ranks since taking over the program in 1987.

Keener, a Division I transfer from Coastal Carolina, made 10 appearances in relief during the 2013 season. The junior posted a 7.43 ERA in 13.1 innings of work while striking out four batters.

"He's got really good fastball sink, good command and a good slider," said Dodgers vice president of scouting Logan White. "He competes his tail off and has a bulldog mentality. If he keeps battling, he may end up at the big league level out of the bullpen someday."

Keener was the first player from the highly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to be selected in the 2013 draft. Overall, seven players from the PSAC were drafted in 2013 which is the most since 2000, one shy of the record set in 1969.