AMCC

UPB'S CRESSLEY DRAFTED BY SAN DIEGO PADRES

Posted: Jun 09, 2014

Pitt-Bradford junior right-handed pitcher Aaron Cressley was selected in the 26th round, 777th overall, by the San Diego Padres in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft on Saturday.

Cressley became just the second Panther to be drafted since 1998, the first season in Pitt-Bradford baseball history. The only other player selected was Zach Foster. Foster, also a right-handed pitcher, was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 49th round of the 2008 draft.

“I am so happy for Cress,” said head coach Bret Butler. “This is exactly what he has been striving for his entire collegiate career. His efforts are paying off and I am so very proud of him. I’m also happy for our pitching coach Zach Foster. Zach did an exemplary job preparing him for this opportunity.”

“This means everything to me,” said Cressley. “It has been my dream for my whole life and I can finally say I made my dream come true. I am very thankful to the Padres for picking me up and believing in me. I am truly blessed.”

The Corry native got off to a blistering start in his junior campaign and went on to post a 5-4 record and pitched three complete games. He started in all nine of his appearances and tossed a team-high 52.1 innings. He finished with a 2.75 ERA and fanned a total of 76 batters, also first on the squad.

Cressley earned a spot on the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference second team for his efforts this year.