Ball State University Athletics
BSU Closer Kyle Heyne Drafted By Minnesota Twins
June 08, 2007 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State junior closer Kyle Heyne was selected Friday by the Minnesota Twins in the 27th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 842nd overall selection.
Heyne, who redshirted as a freshman in 2004, has one year of eligibility remaining at Ball State. He could choose to sign a contract with the Twins or return to school for one more season as a fifth-year senior.
Through three collegiate seasons, Heyne has accumulated 24 saves to tie him for first place on the Ball State career saves list.
The right-hander saved ten of the Cardinals' 20 victories in 2007 to go along with a 5-3 record out of the bullpen. Heyne also led Ball State in appearances with 26, and his 2.31 ERA was the second-lowest on the team.
After recording 12 saves and a 2.11 ERA as a sophomore in 2006, Heyne was named to the preseason watch list for the 2007 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year award. He then remained a candidate when the award's mid-season watch list was announced in April.
Heyne's selection marks the 12th consecutive year the Cardinals have had at least one player chosen in the draft. He becomes the 44th player in Ball State history to be drafted but just the second to be selected by the Twins, following Jason Paul, who was a 49th round selection by Minnesota in the 2001 draft.
