June 5, 2012
SECAUCUS, N.J. - Penn State redshirt junior pitcher Joe Kurrasch (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) has been selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Kurrasch is coming off a phenomenal first season with the Nittany Lions, as the lefty went 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA in 16 total games, 11 of which were starts.
Kurrasch adjusted nicely as he moved into the team's Friday starter. The sophomore eligible Kurrasch had the lowest ERA for a Big Ten starter and batters hit just .223 against him this past season. His 78 strikeouts on the year ranked third in the conference and he was also fifth in hits allowed. Kurrasch had a 1.71 ERA in conference games.
Kurrasch began the year serving as the team's primary closer through the first 15 games of the season. He earned his first career start at East Carolina on March 16, pitching a complete game and striking out seven batters in the loss. He pitched a solid game for the Lions against Indiana as he went seven innings of two-run ball in the no-decision. His best start arguably came against Purdue on March 31. Kurrasch took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the nation's No. 1 hitting offense. He went 7.1 innings and gave up three hits against the Boilermakers, while striking out five.
Kurrasch continued his dominance as a starter against Canisius on April 7, going 6.2 innings and punching out a career-best 10 batters. He earned his first career win as a starting pitcher against Michigan on April 14, going seven strong innings while giving up just four hits and one run. Kurrasch then picked up his second straight win with a six inning, six- strikeout performance at Iowa on April 20.
Kurrasch is the 17th Penn State player selected under head coach Robbie Wine (since 2005). Over 60 Penn State players have been selected by Major League Baseball organizations, including 29 since the new millennium. In total, 26 organizations have selected a Nittany Lion baseball player at some point.
Rounds 2-15 are Tuesday and rounds 16-40 are Wednesday, starting at noon ET.
Follow Penn State baseball on Twitter: www.twitter.com/psubaseball.