:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/630860/DHultzenDraft.JPG)
Virginia LHP Danny Hultzen was selected as the overall No. 2 pick in the 2011 First-Year MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. The Bethesda, Md. native, the two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year and a 2011 Golden Spikes Award finalist, was previously drafted in 2008 by the Diamondbacks in the 10th round.
"This was completely unexpected," Hulzten said after his name was announced. "It's a tremendous honor though. I'm very excited, though. I'm very excited about it."
Prior to Hultzen, Ryan Zimmerman was the highest Cavalier to have been drafted, as the overall No. 4 pick to the Washington Nationals.
"I don't even know what to say right now, I'm sort of speechless." the junior said with elation.
When asked whether he'd compare himself with another left handed pitcher, Hultzen said that he doesn't really like to compare himself to other pitchers, though he certainly does observe what the other southpaws are doing. He named Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee and retired New York Yankee Andy Pettitte as perhaps pitchers he likes to model himself off of.
Behind the superior pitching by Hultzen, the Hoos have recorded 615 strikeouts this season, the most in school history. The prior single-season high was set in 2009 at 593 strikeouts in 65 games. Hultzen is second in the country in strikeouts (148) and has struck out at least nine batters in 11 of his 15 starts this season. He has the most strikeouts both in a single season and over his career in Virginia program history.
Congratulations Danny Hultzen! Stay tuned to Streaking the Lawn for further analysis on Hultzen being drafted to the Mariners.