Kansas Senior Blankenship Drafted by Houston Astros

June 9, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas senior left-handed pitcher Travis Blankenship has been selected by the Houston Astros in the 31^st round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft with the 933rd overall pick.

Blankenship becomes the fifth Jayhawk selected in this year’s draft. On Tuesday, Tony Thompson (sixth round, Oakland), Robby Price (13^th round, Tampa Bay), Brett Bochy (20^th round, San Francisco) and Cameron Selik (22^nd round, Washington) were all drafted by Major League organizations.

Blankenship, a left-handed pitcher from Lawrence, Kan., led the Jayhawks in appearances in each of the last two seasons. He set a school record in 2009, by pitching in 40 games, including 38 out of the bullpen. He went 1-5 this season with a 5.96 ERA in 34 games with a save and 51 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. His 34 appearances ranked third in the Big 12, while his 16 appearances in conference games led the club.

In his career, the senior reliever pitched in 73 games, which is tied for the fifth-most in school history. Blankenship recorded 90 strikeouts in 85 1/3 career innings, while holding opponents to a .276 batting average.

Blankenship becomes the second Free State High School product taken in this year’s draft, joining former Jayhawk teammate Price.

The MLB draft will conclude with its final 20 rounds Wednesday afternoon.