Xavier University Athletics
Tommy Shirley Drafted By Houston
06.09.10 | Baseball
June 9, 2010
CINCINNATI - With the 273rd pick in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Houston Astros selected Xavier junior pitcher, Tommy Shirley. His selection at No. 273 is the second-highest draft pick in XU history and he is the fifth Musketeer to be drafted in the last six years.
In 2010, the left-hander led the Musketeers with a 4.03 ERA in 15 starts as XU's Friday starter and finished his junior campaign with a 4-3 record. The North Huntingdon, Pa., native posted a team-best 98 strikeouts, which was second-most in a single season in Xavier history, in 96 innings of work in this past season.
The junior led the Musketeers in 2010 in ERA, strikeouts, and opposing batting average as he held the competition to a .275 clip.
"Tommy (Shirley) put himself in a great position for the draft this season with how hard he worked," said XU assistant coach in charge of pitching Nick Otte. "It's great that he's one step closer to fulfilling his dream of being a Major League Baseball player."
The Musketeers finished the season 26-32 overall and 18-9 in the Atlantic 10. Shirley helped lead the Musketeers to a first round bye in the 2010 Atlantic 10 tournament.
Shirley has signed with the Astros organization and will forgo final season at Xavier.
