Two PLNU pitchers selected in 2010 MLB Draft

San Diego, California

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Two Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions, pitchers Chad Blauer and Steven Winnick, were selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Blauer, a right-handed starter, was picked on Tuesday in the 30th round by the Kansas City Royals, the 899th player taken. Winnick went on Wednesday, just one round later - the 31st - to the New York Mets. Also a right-handed pitcher, Winnick was pick number 931.

Blauer went 13-2 for the Sea Lions in 2010 to go with a 3.57 ERA and 103 strikeouts. The 6-3, 215 pound pitcher from Huntington Beach, California, held opposing hitters to a .235 batting average and threw five complete games. But what probably opened scouts' eyes was how he stepped up in the post season for PLNU.

Blauer helped number 17-ranked PLNU finish tied for third at the NAIA World Series by throwing three complete games in the postseason. In the NAIA opening round championship game, he fanned 16 batters against number seven-ranked British Columbia. He then and struck out 11 batters in both of his World Series triumphs versus number 14 Belhaven (Mississippi) and number six Oklahoma City.

In two seasons at Point Loma, Blauer, who transferred from San Diego Mesa College, put together a 19-7 record and notched 158 strikeouts.

Moved from the bullpen to a starting role in 2010, Winnick responded by going 10-3 in 16 starts for PLNU. The 6-2, 195 pound San Diegan registered a 2.92 ERA and 58 strikeouts, toeing the rubber for 101.2 innings. He won two postseason contests; defeating Fresno Pacific in a NAIA Opening Round game and California Baptist in a World Series tilt.

A two-way player who transferred from the University of San Diego, Winnick also hit a team-best .373 (60-for-161), to go with 38 runs scored and 22 RBI. In 2009 he batted .311 with five home runs and 27 RBI. He started at three positions during his time at Point Loma: first base, outfield, and DH.

Winnick went 11-4 with eight saves during his two-season stint as a Sea Lion, helping the team make two World Series appearances.

Blauer and Winnick are the 25th and 26th university players selected since the draft's inception in 1965.

The two hurlers will await instructions by their organizations to see where and when they will begin their professional careers.

Note: The Royals announced Blauer had signed with the team on Thursday, June 10.
--Point Loma Nazarene University

 

< back to Sports

next article >