June 4, 2003

Lexington, Ky. –

University of Kentucky pitcher Heath Castle was selected by the New York Yankees in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Tuesday, June 3. Castle was the 484th overall pick and becomes the 64th Wildcat player to be selected in the draft since 1979.

“I’m really excited to see my name in the Major League Draft,” Castle said. “When I started playing baseball my main goal was to one day play professionally, and now I have an opportunity to do so. It’s really a great feeling.”

“We’re excited for Heath here at Kentucky,” Coach Keith Madison said. “He was one of the top left-handed pitchers in the Southeastern Conference this season and he certainly deserved to be drafted. He has a big decision to make and I know he will make the best decision for himself and his future.”

Castle, a Lowmansville, Ky., native, was the top pitcher on the UK staff this spring. He finished the 2003 campaign with a 6-5 record and a 3.54 ERA in 15 appearances, striking out 60 batters in 86 1/3 innings of work. The senior-to-be still reserves the option to pass on the New York offer and return to UK for his final season. He has not yet made a decision on his immediate future.

–UK–