Joe Leonard Drafted In Third Round By Atlanta Braves
6/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 8, 2010
PITTSBURGH - Pitt junior Joe Leonard has been drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Braves as the 101st overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.
"I could not be more pleased for Joe and his family," Pitt head coach Joe Jordano said. "I was a little surprised he lasted until the third round. I feel strongly that he will be a major leaguer someday soon. Joe's impact on our program was great and his legacy will last a long time."
Leonard (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville), a TPX Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American, becomes the highest Panther pick since 1985, when Chris Jelic was drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Royals.
"I knew I had a good season and everything really worked out for me," Leonard said. "I was just sitting at home with my family and my girlfriend and my name popped up on the computer screen. I was so happy. It was a great moment."
In 2010, Leonard was named the Big East Player of the Year and has been named as a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and was named as a candidate for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year award.
As a third baseman and relief pitcher, Leonard leaves Pitt with his name dominating the record books, breaking the single-season records for hits (104), runs batted in (71), doubles (23) at bats (240) and saves (8) in 2010. In addition, he also holds the school record for career saves with 11.
Leonard is the 17th player under head coach Joe Jordano at Pitt to be selected in the MLB draft and is Jordano's highest-ever draft pick in his 23 years of coaching.