Alex Koronis Selected In 11th Round Of MLB Draft

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa pitcher Alex Koronis became the first Spartan to be selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, going in the 11th round to the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the 349th selection of the draft.

A junior from Miami, Koronis finished his first season at UT after transferring from the University of Miami. The 6-1 right-hander concluded the 2009 season with an 8-2 record and a 3.48 ERA. He led the team in victories, ERA, complete games (1), saves (5) and strikeouts (79). He was also second with 64.2 innings pitched. Opposing hitters were .210 against Koronis.

While pitching in 23 games, 12 of his efforts were scoreless outings. His lone complete game was a seven-inning victory where he gave up just three hits against then No. 4 Barry on Apr. 25. He also struck out seven batters in the game. His strikeout performance was 11 in five innings of work against No. 21 Nova Southeastern on Mar. 22.

UT has now had at least one player selected in seven consecutive MLB drafts. Tampa has also played multiple players in three consecutive drafts with at least one player in 13 of the past 14.

This is the second time Koronis has been drafted as he was a 40th round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers out of high school in the 2006 MLB Draft.

Following is a list of the first Spartans to be chosen in each draft.
Year-Player-Round
2009-Alex Koronis-11
2008-Jose Jimenez-33
2007-Jonathan Holt-5
2006-Sergio Perez-2
2005-Roberto Valiente-44
2004-Eric Beattie-2
2003-Gene Reynolds-9
2001-Charlie Manning-9
2000-Jim Kavourias-5
1999-Greg Watson-26
1998-Angel Diaz-28
1997-Bo Donaldson-19
1996-Brian Ussery-19
1993-Shawn Slade-26
1992-Joe Urso-49
1991-Ozzie Timmons-5
1990-Sam Militello-6
1989-Terry Rupp-17
1988-Tino Martinez-1
1987-Dean Kelley-10
1985-Steve Mumaw-86
1984-Marty Reed-14