Razorbacks Stanek, Suggs Drafted

Razorback Baseball pitcher Ryne Stanek

Razorbacks Baseball pitcher Ryne Stanek

FAYETTEVILLE – Junior right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek was selected with the 29th overall pick of the 2013 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night and junior right-handed pitcher Colby Suggs was selected by the Miami Marlins in the second round.

A native of Overland Park, Kan., Stanek is the seventh Razorback in school history to be drafted in the first round and the third pitcher in school history to go in the first round. Stanek is the fourth UA player taken in the first round over the last seven seasons.

In his three seasons at Arkansas, Stanek has developed into one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball. A first team All-SEC selection and second team All-American, Stanek finished the season with a 10-2 record and a 1.39 ERA in 16 starts. Stanek currently leads the SEC and ranks ninth nationally in ERA. His 1.39 ERA is the third-lowest single-season ERA in school history, while his 10 victories are tied for the ninth most in a season. In 97.1 innings pitched, Stanek allowed 23 runs, 15 earned, on 72 hits and struck out 79 batters. Opponents hit .207 against Stanek. In 11 starts vs. SEC opponents, Stanek had an 8-1 record with a 0.86 ERA. Stanek allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 16 starts and allowed one earned run or less in 10 of 11 starts vs. SEC opponents.

Stanek has pitched in 48 games, including 45 starts, as a Razorback and has a 22-8 career record with one save and a 2.55 ERA. In 254 innings, Stanek has struck out 203 batters, while giving up 88 runs, 72 earned, on 197 hits. He’s held opponents to a .216 batting average. Stanek currently ranks sixth in school history in career ERA and sixth in career starts.

Stanek is the fourth Arkansas player to be drafted in the first round since Dave Van Horn became head coach in 2003. Other Arkansas players to be selected in the first round include Kevin McReynolds (No. 6 overall to the San Diego Padres in 1981), Jeff King (No. 1 overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986), David Walling (No. 27 overall to the New York Yankees in 1999), Nick Schmidt (No. 23 overall to the San Diego Padres in 2007), Logan Forsythe (No. 46 overall to the San Diego Padres in 2008) and Zack Cox (No. 25 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010).

Suggs was the 73rd overall pick in the draft.

Razorbacks pitcher Colby Suggs drafted

Razorbacks pitcher Colby Suggs drafted by Miami

A native of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Suggs set the Arkansas single-season record for saves with 13 during the 2013 season. The right hander pitched in 23 games, all out of the bullpen, and had a 1.74 ERA. In 20.2 innings, Suggs allowed four runs on 10 hits, all singles, and struck out 29 batters. He held opponents to a .139 batting average. Suggs recorded 10 saves in Southeastern Conference play, which led all SEC closers. In conference play, Suggs only allowed one run in 12 innings for a 0.75 ERA. After giving up two runs against San Diego State on March 9, Suggs closed the season by having a scoreless outing in 17 of his final 18 appearances.

Suggs has pitched in 65 games in his collegiate career and has a 9-2 record with 13 saves and a 1.36 ERA. Suggs’ 13 career saves ranks tied for fifth in school history. In 79.2 innings, Suggs has allowed 15 runs, 12 earned, on 44 hits with 87 strikeouts. Opposing hitters have just a .162 average against Suggs during his collegiate career.

In addition to Stanek and Suggs getting drafted on Thursday, Arkansas signee Teddy Stankiewicz was also picked in the second round by the Boston Red Sox with the 45th overall pick.

The 2013 MLB Draft continues on Friday and Saturday at 12 p.m. Friday will feature rounds 3-10 with rounds 11-40 scheduled for Saturday.

Courtesy University of Arkansas Department of Athletics

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