Neumann Goes to Pirates in 28th Round on Saturday
Righthander joins J.P. Sportman in draft class
Former Central Connecticut pitcher Nick Neumann became the second Blue Devil picked in the 2014 Major League Draft on Saturday. Neumann was chosen in the 28th round by the Pittsburgh PIrates. He joins teammate J.P. Sportman who was picked by the Oakland A's in the 27th round earlier on Saturday.
It marks the first time since 1999 that the Blue Devils have had more than one player drafted in a single draft. That year Scott Martin and Jason Maule were both selection. Martin went in the 17th round and Maule in the 23rd.
Neumann was spectacular in his senior season for the Blue Devils posting a 2.38 earned run average and earning Second Team All-Conference honors in his final seasons. He posted a 6-3 record with four complete games and a pair of shutouts. He struck out 50 and walked only 15 in 72.0 innings of work.
Neumann was even better against conference opponents in 2014. Including the league tournament, Neuman was 5-1 with a 0.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just eight walks. He pitched 43 innings allowing 35 hits and only four earned runs in seven total outings. He also added a save.
Neumann spent five years with the Blue Devils, sitting out the 2012 season with an injury, and posted a career record of 17-12. His career ERA was 3.61 and he recorded 164 strikeouts and walked 60. He pitched 239.2 career innings with the Blue Devils, making 35 starts and recording five shutouts and 12 complete games. Neumann allowed only 49 extra-base hits in his career. He won five games or more in each of his last three seasons.
