Neal Cotts, a first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference left-handed pitcher for Illinois State in 2001, was sent to the Chicago White Sox along with minor league outfielder Daylan Holt to complete the Keith Foulke-Billy Koch trade between the Sox and Oakland As Monday.
The Belleville, Ill., native spent last season playing at Oaklands Class A team in Modesto, Ca., that finished first in the North Division of the California League in September with a record of 44-26 (.629). Cotts finished the regular season with 12 wins and 178 strikeouts, which ranked first on the team and second in both categories for the league.
The second-highest drafted Redbird in Illinois State history at No. 69 in 2001 finished his collegiate career ranked fifth all-time in strikeouts (263).
