Murray and Walz Selected During Second Day of MLB Draft
June 7, 2011
Kansas right-handed pitchers Colton Murray and T.J. Walz have been selected during the second day of the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Murray became the first Jayhawk selected in the 2011 Draft when he was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies with the last pick of the 13th round (421 overall). Walz followed when he was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the 15th pick of the 15th round (466 overall).
Murray, a right-handed pitcher from Overland Park, Kan., appeared in 20 games for the Jayhawks in 2011, 18 of which were appearances from the bullpen. He posted a team-best seven saves and recorded a 3.79 ERA with a 3-4 record. Murray recorded 33 strikeouts in only 40.1 innings pitched, and allowed a .242 opponents batting average.
In his career, Murray went 6-9 with a 3.89 ERA in 80 games, and all but two were out of the bullpen. He recorded 11 saves and 108 strikeouts in 111 innings. His 11 saves are fourth all-time in the KU record books, while his 80 appearances are good for fourth all-time.
Walz, a senior right-handed pitcher out of Omaha, Neb., leaves the Jayhawk program as one of the best pitchers in school history. In 2011, he led the team in wins, going 6-5 in 14 starts with 85 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings. Walz finished the season with 3.97 ERA, while holding the opposition to a .241 average. He was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention for the second time in his career.
In his illustrious career, Walz holds the school records in innings pitched (328 1/3), games started (50), strikeouts (307), and tied the record for career wins (26). He was a 2009 All-Big 12 second team selection and was named Preseason All-Big 12 in 2010. He was also a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection and was twice named conference pitcher of the week in his career. This marked the second time in his career that Walz was selected by the Athletics after being drafted in the 50th round following his junior season in 2010.
KU baseball signee Cody Kukuk, a Lawrence, Kan. native, was selected in the seventh round of the draft by the Boston Red Sox. In the 24th round another Jayhawk signee, outfielder Connor McKay, was selected by the Colorado Rockies.
The MLB draft will continue throughout the day on Tuesday with the first 30 rounds, before concluding Wednesday with the final 20 rounds. Please check back with KUAthletics.com for further updates.
2011 KU Draftees
Round (Pick) Player (Position) Team
13 (421) Colton Murray (RHP) Philadelphia
15 (466) T.J. Walz (RHP) Oakland
