ISU's Cox picked by Pirates in 35th round of MLB draft

[June 07, 2008]  NORMAL -- Senior Tyler Cox became the second Illinois State baseball player to be drafted Friday, as the left-handed pitcher was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Cox will join fellow teammate Kevin Dubler in professional baseball, as Dubler was selected in the eighth round by the Chicago White Sox earlier in the day.

With Cox's selection, the Redbirds have now had five players drafted in the last three years. Cox will join former Redbird Kyle Bloom in the Pirates organization. Bloom is currently a starting pitcher for the Class AA Altoona Curve.

"It's definitely been an exciting and adventurous couple of days," said Cox. "I was up early today waiting to see my name show up on the draft board, and it's been a long process ever since my elbow surgery. I'm really excited and grateful for the opportunity, and it just goes to show that hard work pays off. Ever since I was a little kid, I have always told my parents that I wanted to play baseball for a living. It has taken a lot of hard work to get where I am today, and I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to pitch at the next level."

He was chosen by Pirates with the 1,044 pick.

After coming out of the bullpen during the 2007 season, Cox flourished in a starter’s role for the Redbirds in 2008. He posted a record of 4-4 in nine starts, to go along with a 4.55 earned-run average. In 63.1 innings of work, the Danville native allowed 32 earned runs on 70 hits, while he struck out 57 and walked only 26.

Cox enjoyed one of his best starts as Redbird on April 5 at Evansville, when he combined with fellow senior Eric Theisen to throw a two-hit shutout. Cox carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and retired 12 straight batters at one point in that game.

Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee is glad that Cox has been given an opportunity to pitch at the next level.

"It's a tribute to Tyler for all the hard work he has put in," said Brownlee. "He's has come a long way in two years. He's definitely got a chance to be successful at the next level because he is a left-hander with some velocity. I'm really happy for him, especially because he is a senior; sometimes seniors don't get drafted. He's improved in a lot of different areas, including the running game.

"I think Tyler will continue to improve. His best days are also ahead of him. All Tyler wanted was a chance, and I'm so happy that he has been given that opportunity."

[Text from file received from John A. Sandberg, Illinois State University]