June 9, 2009

KENNESAW, Ga. - History was made for the Kennesaw State baseball program as right-handed pitcher Chad Jenkins was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday night.

"Ever since I've been playing baseball, there's been two guys that I've always followed; Greg Maddux and Roy Halladay," said Jenkins just minutes after he was selected. "To even get the chance to possibly play alongside Halladay in Toronto, it's just a dream come true."

The 2009 season was a banner year for Jenkins. The righty earned Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher-of-the-Year honors after going 8-1 on the season with a 2.54 ERA. Jenkins struck out 98 batters in 92 innings, but even more impressive was the control the hurler had on the mound. Jenkins walked just 15 batters in 92 innings of work. During 2009, Jenkins had two impressive streaks that ran concurrently. The first was a 41-inning scoreless streak that spanned all four of his April starts. While that streak was going on, Jenkins also did not allow a walk in 24.2 innings. Both of those streaks are KSU records.

Batters hit just .229 against Jenkins with five complete games to his credit, in addition to three shut outs.

Draft day was tension-filled for Jenkins. "It's been a very slow day for me," the Canton, Ga., native said. "I was at the [Bobbie Bailey Building] most of the day, talking to the coaches and getting a workout in. Then I just came home and the day just seemed to go even slower."

"The whole KSU family is happy for Chad and his family," KSU baseball head coach Mike Sansing said. "To see the whole maturation process is amazing and I'm sure he'll have a very good professional career."

Prior to Tuesday night, the highest any KSU baseball player had been drafted was in the third round when Matt Pender went with the 87th overall pick to the Detroit Tigers. Jenkins is the 24th KSU player drafted in program history. It is the first time a KSU baseball player has been drafted by the Blue Jays.

Now that he's got a team, Jenkins is set to get to work. "I'm just ready to get to work and get started," the righty said.

"I feel Chad has the mentality to be successful with his physical and mental ability," said Coach Sansing. "He is the complete package and is exactly what a Major League team is looking for."