June 6, 2013
Nashville, Tenn. – Junior left-hander Kevin Ziomek was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 58th overall pick in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Thursday night.
Ziomek becomes the sixth Commodore in the last three seasons to be drafted by Detroit, joining Drew VerHagen (4th round, 2012), Will Clinard (19th, 2012), Connor Harrell (31st, 2012), Aaron Westlake (3rd, 2011) and Curt Casali (10th, 2011). Ziomek becomes the 39th Vanderbilt pitcher to be drafted since 2003 and extends VU’s streak of having at least one player selected in the Draft since 1996.
This season, Ziomek has anchored the Commodores’ rotation as the team’s Friday night starter going 11-2 with a team-best 1.92 ERA and 111 strikeouts. The lefty started his junior campaign strong throwing back-to-back complete games in his third and fourth starts. He tossed his first career shutout against Illinois-Chicago in a wintry mix, striking out a career-best 15 and allowing only one hit. He followed up his first career one-hitter with a two-hit complete game victory at No. 15 Oregon with 13 strikeouts.
The MLB Draft continues Friday with rounds 3-10. Fans can follow the Draft on MLB.com beginning at noon CT.