Toledo pitcher Kyle Jones was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the seventh round of the MLB Draft on Monday, July 18.
Jones, a 2022 First-Team All-MAC selection, is the 48th player in program history to be selected in the MLB Draft and is the highest draft pick since Matt Suschak in 2010 (seventh round, Atlanta Braves).
“Toledo has been a critical part of my development and shaped me into the pitcher I am today,” Jones said. “The coaching and support staff have done so much to get me to where I am today. I can’t think of a better place to develop as a player, student and person.”
Jones just turned in one of the best seasons by a pitcher in school history in 2022, collecting a school-record 114 strikeouts in 91.1 innings pitched. A three-time MAC Pitcher of the Week, he ended the year ranking second in the MAC in strikeouts and innings pitched, fifth in ERA (4.24), and tied for sixth in batting average against (.24). He had eight outings of at least eight strikeouts and had 12 outings of at least six innings. His 229 career strikeouts are fifth-most in school history.
“We are really excited that Kyle was drafted in the seventh round by Minnesota,” head coach Rob Reinstetle said. “He deserves this opportunity and has worked really hard to get to this point. Kyle was our ace this past year and always had a big crowd of scouts in to see him throw. That exposure can sometimes intimidate even the best of prospects, but Kyle handled that extremely well and showed he was ready to take the next step in his baseball journey.
“Speaking as his coach the past three seasons, it’s really been a joy to have Kyle in our program and watch him develop into what he is today. Every season he got better and I have no doubts in my mind he will have a successful career at the next level. It takes talent and a little luck to make it, but Kyle has a fantastic head on his shoulders and a first-class work ethic.”
A two-time Academic All-MAC honoree and a 2022 MAC Medal of Excellence recipient, Jones graduated with his degree in mechanical engineering this past spring.
The 2022 MLB Draft will conclude on Tuesday, July 19, with rounds 11-20.
