June 10, 2009
SECAUCUS, N.J. — Kentucky senior southpaw Chris Rusin was selected with the 140th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, it was announced Wednesday.
Rusin, a native of Canton, Mich., becomes the second UK player taken in the first four rounds of 2009, as fellow left-handed pitcher James Paxton was selected in the supplemental first round Tuesday night by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 37th overall pick. Only three times in school history have two UK players been selected in the top four rounds of the MLB Draft, as first-team All-American outfielder Sawyer Carroll and right-handed pitcher Scott Green both went in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft. In 1992, pitching prospects Rob Henderson and Mark Thompson were each selected in the second round.
A 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, Rusin earned a 7-4 record and a 4.20 ERA in 2009, striking out 108 in a club-best 94.1 innings. While making 13 starts in 2009, Rusin hurled four complete games, holding opponents to just 27 walks and a .258 opponent batting average. Rusin exits Kentucky as one of the best pitchers to ever pitch in Lexington, ranking among the school career leaders in wins (2nd; 23), games started (4th; 45), complete games (10th; 8), innings pitched (3rd; 302.1) and strikeouts (2nd; 274). With 108 strikeouts in 2009, Rusin ranked eighth all-time in single-season strikeouts, becoming just the 10th player in school annals to fan 100 or more in a season. Rusin had a breakout season in 2008, earning a 6-3 record and a 3.33 ERA, earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference accolades as UK’s Friday night starter.
The draft will continue Wednesday, tentatively scheduled to go through the 30th round. The draft will conclude Thursday with the 31st through 50th rounds, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
