For Immediate Release: June 6, 2008
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU pitcher Dennis selected by Oakland A's in MLB Draft
Six-foot-6 junior lefty chosen in 40th round

VESTAL, N.Y.– Binghamton University junior pitcher Jeff Dennis (North Syracuse, N.Y.) was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 40th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft Friday evening in Miami. Dennis was the 12th pick in the round. There were 50 rounds spanning two days.

Dennis made 14 starts as head coach Tim Sinicki's No. 2 starter this spring. He posted four wins and a 3.97 ERA, and struck out 62 batters in 81.2 innings (6.8/game). He ranked second in the America East with six complete games and also ranked second in opposing batting average (.223). Conference opponents hit just .203 off him and Dennis closed out his 2008 season by tossing a two-hit gem against Stony Brook in America East tournament in front of MLB scouts. In that game, he gave up one unearned run over eight innings. Dennis allowed just two earned runs over his final 27 innings (last four starts).

Three other BU baseball players have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams: Day Gray (7th round in 1990, Dodgers), Dirk Gorman (48th round in 1990, Dodgers) and Jeff Montani (37th round in 2001, Orioles).

In addition, 14 other Binghamton players have signed professional contracts - including eight in the last two years. The most notable recent signee was fellow lefty and former Dennis teammate Scott Diamond, who signed with the Atlanta Braves last summer and is currently 3-0 for High Class A Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League.