VIDEO

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the number 11 pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Kennesaw State catcher Max Pentecost, making him the highest draft pick to come out of KSU.
 
"It's a feeling that's hard to put into words," said Pentecost of the selection. "It's a great feeling to know that all the hard work and time you've put in in the past has paid off."
 
Pentecost also becomes the second highest draft pick in Atlantic Sun Conference history, topping Florida Gulf Coast's Chris Sale and Jacksonville's Chris Anderson.
 
The pick tops off a stellar year for the Winder, Georgia, native, who ranks first in the NCAA in hits with 110 and second in batting average at .423, earning him First Team All-American status one week ago.
 
Pentecost ranks first in nearly every offensive category in program history and is in the running for the Johnny Bench Award, handed out to the nation's top collegiate catcher.
 
The Owls watched the draft in their team hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, as they get ready for the 2014 NCAA Super Regionals.
 
"If we were at home, not all of my teammates would have been able to be there," said Pentecost. "But now that we're still playing, we all get to be together. I'm hoping my time here helped make my team better and I'm hoping they take something from that."
 
Chad Jenkins, who was the highest pick in Owl history prior to Thursday night, is currently pitching for the Blue Jays, setting up an all KSU pitcher-catcher duo in the big leagues.
 
"It would be awesome," added Pentecost. "I see him in the offseason and he's a great guy. We both like to be outdoors, so it would be really fun to have two Owls out here."
 
The Owls, thanks in large part to their backstop, are now playing in the program's first ever Super Regional in Louisville with the three-game series starting on Friday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

"I'm going to try and get some sleep," said Pentecost. "But it's going to be tough with excitement. I'm going to try and put it behind us and go play and then I'll worry about the next step."
  
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
  




 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video