Cashner selected 19th overall in MLB Draft
6/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 5, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner was selected 19th overall in the 2008 MLB First-year Player Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Cashner is the second Horned Frog in the last four drafts to be selected in the first round. Dating back to the 2005 draft, the Frogs have had nine players drafted in the top nine rounds.
"We are so excited for Andrew," said Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle. "He has worked hard, been coachable and developed in our program. I have no doubt that, if he can remain healthy, he can be an effective major league pitcher."
Cashner excelled on the mound for the Frogs this season in the closer role. He led the team with nine saves to go along with a 9-4 record in 30 appearances. The junior had a team-high 80 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings pitched and has posted a 2.32 ERA. He limited opponents to a .122 batting average this season.
Named first-team all-conference earlier this season, Cashner also earned a spot on the Mountain West Conference all-tournament squad after helping the Frogs earn their fifth straight tournament crown this past weekend. Prior to the NCAA Regionals, Cashner was tabbed as a Louisville Slugger second-team All-American.
Since the 2005 draft, the Horned Frogs are tied for first in the state of Texas with two first round drafts. Both Rice and Texas have produced two first-rounders in the last four seasons.
This is the fourth time that Cashner has been drafted. Out of high school, the righty was selected in the 20th round by the Atlanta Braves. While at Angelina Junior College, Cashner was drafted twice. In 2006, the Colorado Rockies tabbed him in the 18th round. The Cubs drafted Cashner in the 29th round in 2007.
Cashner is the second-highest drafted Horned Frog in school history behind Lance Broadway, the 15th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 draft. He also becomes the 17th Frog drafted in the last five seasons.
