June 6, 2012
NORMAL, Ill. -Kenny Long graduated from Illinois State as one of the most successful pitchers in program history and will now continue his career in professional baseball. The senior was selected Wednesday afternoon by the Houston Astros in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.
"You never know what it will feel like until you actually get that phone call," Long said. "It is so weird hearing your name called, but it is a great feeling. I will remember it forever."
Long, a left-handed relief pitcher from Fox River Grove, Ill., made 30 appearances this season, posting a team-best 2.29 ERA, while converting 13-of-13 save opportunities. He struck out 52 batters in 51 innings, yielding just eleven walks and limiting opponents to a .189 batting average. Long leaves Illinois State as the all-time leader in career saves (28), single-season saves (13), appearances (96), batting average against (.200) and games finished (73). He was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team selection.
"Everyone with the ISU baseball team is happy and proud for Kenny," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "He had a tremendous career both here and in the Cape Cod League. We expect him to do great things in professional baseball."
Long helped guide a senior class responsible for 112 victories, one regular season Missouri Valley Conference Championship, one Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and a trip to the 2010 NCAA Tournament Regional in Louisville, Ky.
"Illinois State helped me so much," Long said. "Coach Kingston and especially Coach [Bill] Mohl developed me into the level of a player that could get drafted. My teammates, coaches and family have been very supportive."
Future Redbird Chad Johnson was selected in the fifth round by the Kansas City Royals. The Galesburg, Ill., native was the 163rd overall pick after hitting .389 with seven home runs, 14 doubles and 38 RBI as a catcher at Galesburg High School. He has until July 13 to sign a professional contract or enroll in classes at ISU.
The selection of Long makes 2012 the third-consecutive year the Redbirds have had a player taken in the first-year player draft. Former Redbirds Ryan Court and Corey Maines were selected last year. Court is currently playing for the South Bend Silver Hawks, the Arizona Diamondbacks single-A affiliate in the Midwest League. Maines was selected in the 23rd round by the New York Yankees and last pitched for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Yankees.
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