By Sean Duncan

 

In about a two-hour span Monday night, Minooka right-hander Mike Foltynewicz saw his high school career end and his professional career likely to begin.

 

The hard-throwing 6-foot-4, 200-pound Foltynewicz was selected No. 19 overall in the first round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Houston Astros, making him the first Chicago-area prep player selected in the first round since Providence right-hander Kris Honel. Earlier Monday evening, Foltynewicz and his teammates were shocked by O’Fallon 9-6 in the sectional final at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

 

Foltynewicz, who’s the No. 1-ranked player in the state, has absolutely dominated opponents this spring. With a fastball that has climbed as high as 96 mph, Foltynewicz finished his illustrious career with a 9-1 record and a remarkable 0.30 ERA. Prior to Monday’s game, he had recorded 125 strikeouts and 22 walks in 70 innings pitched. His lone loss was a three-hitter in which he didn’t allow an earned run in a 1-0 defeat.  He also had a huge year at the plate with eight homers and 39 RBI. Foltynewicz has signed to play at the University of Texas.

 

“He’s just a dominant pitcher,” said Minooka coach Jeff Petrovic. “He’s really come a long way and has developed into a pitcher, not just a thrower. … He’s worked really hard, and he’s been fantastic. I’m blessed to have coached him for four years.”

 

For the first time ever, the first round of the MLB draft was televised on ESPN. Former Rock Falls right-handed ace Seth Blair, who starred at Arizona State, was selected in the sandwich-round, pick No. 46, to the St. Louis Cardinals. Blair was one of the top prospects in the stellar Class of 2007.