Recent Emory University graduate and former Eagles' pitcher Paul Schwendel was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 40th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday.
Schwendel (Alpharetta, GA/ St. Francis) was selected by the reigning American League champions in the final round of the draft, with the 1,236th overall pick.
Schwendel was an ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region third team selection this season, finishing the season ranked 10th among all NCAA Division III pitchers with 103 strikeouts and 32nd with 10 strikeouts per nine innings. The righty finished the year with a 6-4 record and a 3.01 ERA, and the fifth-most strikeouts in a single season in the program's history. Highlights from his season included an 11 strikeout performance in the NCAA Championships against DePauw University, and a 13-strikeout game against Methodist University on April 21st. Schwendel recorded five double-digit strikeout performances over the season, including one in each of his last four starts.
Schwendel ended his career with an overall record of 19-8 and a 4.66 ERA. His 19 victories are tied for the ninth-most in school history, and his 231 career strikeouts are the seventh-most in Emory baseball history.
Schwendel is the sixth Eagle drafted since Emory reinstated its varsity program in 1991 after a 100-year absence. Twin brothers and pitchers Scott and Jeff Kramer were both drafted in 1994, Scott in the 13th round by the Cleveland Indians and Jeff in the 30th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Third baseman Andrew Pinckney was drafted in 2004 by the Boston Red Sox, and in 2008, third baseman Frank Pfister was selected in the 17th round by the Cincinnati Reds. Outfielder David Hissey was chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 50th round of the draft in 2009.
Emory finished the 2012 season with a 26-14 overall record, advancing to the Regionals of the NCAA Division III Championships.