Two days after striking out the eventual top pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Illinois junior right-hander Nick Blackburn got his moment to celebrate.
Blackburn, a 2012 Neuqua Valley graduate, was taken by the New York Mets with the 659th overall pick in the 22nd round on Wednesday during the final day of the three-day draft.
“I was talking to some people the past couple days and the Mets wanted to take a chance with me,” he said on Wednesday shortly after getting the news. “Nothing’s for sure yet, but maybe we’ll see what happens in the upcoming weeks. But, really, it’s an awesome experience. It’s a dream come true for any baseball player out there and I couldn’t be more excited.”
A strikeout of Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson, taken No. 1 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, during Illinois’ 4-2 loss Monday served as a positive as the Illini’s season ended two wins shy of the College World Series.
In his only appearance against the defending national champions during the Champaign Super Regional, Blackburn tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Tyler Jay, who was taken sixth overall by the Minnesota Twins on Monday.
“I don’t know really, at that point, if it had anything to do with their situation,” Blackburn said of the Mets. “But, of course, that was awesome. I was happy I was able to go out there and get my job done. It was a little cherry on top being able to strike out Swanson. But he’s a heck of a player. I know he’s going to have a great career and I wish Vanderbilt and him nothing but the best.”
Part of a bullpen that included Jay, the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Blackburn went 3-0 while posting a 2.22 ERA and striking out 19 in 24 1/3 innings for a Illinois team that won a program-record 50 games this season.
Whether he decides to sign with the Mets or come back for his senior season at Illinois remains to be seen, but he’s looking forward to seeing how the process will play out.
“We have an idea of a range, but there are so many factors that go into this decision,” Blackburn said. “I’m really not sure on anything. I know, next year, we’re not going to be bad. We’re going to have a good team. We’ve got good recruits coming in. From what I’ve heard so far, some of the guys in my class are definitely thinking about coming back.
“But I know, either way, whenever I know my decision, I’m know I’m going to go at it and I know whatever works out will work out. I know I’ll have a successful chance to develop, whether I go back to school or whether I decide to start pro ball.”
The deadline for all amateur picks to sign is July 17.
