June 10, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Dustin Beggs has been picked in the 32nd round of the 2015 MLB Draft, going No. 959 overall, to the New York Mets, it was announced on Wednesday evening.

A native of Roswell, Ga., Beggs is the fourth Kentucky player selected in the MLB Draft, joining Kyle Cody (Second Round; Twins), Ka’ai Tom (Fifth Round; Indians) and Kyle Barrett (15th round; Marlins).

Beggs, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound transfer from Georgia Perimeter College, had a strong season in his first year with the Wildcats in 2015. Beggs made 14 weekend starts and led UK with seven wins, 93.2 innings and 75 strikeouts. Beggs totaled a 7-4 record and a 3.65 ERA, allowing only 82 hits and 20 walks, holding opponents to a .234 average.

Beggs worked eight quality starts in 2015, owning a 6-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. Beggs struck out a career-high 12 in a win over No. 5 Vanderbilt on May 2, working 8.1 innings and issuing just one walk. He also posted wins over No. 20 Mississippi State, at Arkansas, Tennessee and at Florida.

Kentucky has had a program-record 42 players drafted or sign a professional contract in the seven years of the UK head coach Gary Henderson era. Since Henderson and recruiting coordinator Brad Bohannon arrived on campus in 2004, Kentucky has had 64 players drafted or sign a professional contract, including 21 in the first-10 rounds. Beggs is the 127th player in UK history to be picked in the MLB Draft. The Wildcats have had at least four players selected in the MLB Draft in each year under Henderson.

The 2015 MLB Draft concludes on Wednesday, going through 40 rounds.