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Kansas ace Ryan Zeferjahn was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the final pick of the third round of the MLB draft earlier this afternoon, #107 overall.
Zeferjahn was KU’s primary Friday night starter the past two years, eclipsing 100 strikeouts each of the past two seasons, the first Jayhawk to accomplish such a feat. Zeferjahn finished third in the Big 12 in strikeouts this past season, compiling a 5-2 record in 15 starts with a 3.97 ERA over 88.1 innings.
Of the scouts I’ve read, the 6’5” Zeferjahn appears to project with an upside of a plus major-league reliever, with the possibility of being a starter if he can further develop his off-speed pitches in the minors. It seems as if his fastball is already major-league ready, as he regularly hits the low to mid-90s while occasionally touching 97-98 mph.
Zeferjahn is currently a junior at Kansas, so he does have the leverage of opting to return to KU for his senior season should he not come to terms with the Red Sox. MLB has slotted this pick’s value at just over $543,000.
The Red Sox have also selected KU C/1B Jaxx Groshans in the 5th round with pick #167. The 6’1” junior has started every game but one since arriving in Lawrence, posting a .340 batting average and .475 OBP with 12 home runs and 46 RBI this past season.
For more on the Red Sox, click on over to Over The Monster.