Thornburg Taken In Third Round of 2010 MLB Draft

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Tyler Thornburg was selected 96th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, Tuesday. He was the first player from the Big South Conference to be taken in the 2010 draft.

The junior Atlanta native, who has been a two-way player for the Bucs for much of his three-year career, has another season of eligibility remaining at CSU, but is expected to pursue the professional career.

During his time at CSU, Thornburg has been all over the field for CSU, including as a starting pitcher and right fielder. He has excelled throughout his career, but especially over the past two seasons, posting a 9-8 record as a pitcher, and tallying an incredible 123 strikeouts with just 58 walks during that time. His best year at the plate was 2009, when he hit .292 with 12 home runs, 16 doubles and a triple for a .547 slugging percentage, playing and starting in all 53 games. In 2009, he focused more on his work on the mound, making 12 appearances with two complete games, including a complete-game victory over then sixth-ranked Florida on March 14.

He was honored by the Big South, and named to the College Baseball Foundation’s National All-Star list for his performance, and was also featured on AOL’s Fanhouse following the victory.

Thornburg is the highest draft pick from CSU since Matt Coenen was taken in the second round (65th overall) of the 2002 MLB draft. R.J. Swindle (2004) and Bobby Parnell (2005), who were the first two Buccaneers to make appearances in an MLB game, were drafted in the 14th and ninth rounds of their respective drafts.