The Kansas City Royals made Joshua Worrell the second pitcher drafted from Indiana Wesleyan University in the last two years.
Worrell, a right handed pitcher, was selected in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball first year player draft on Wednesday.
Last season, the New York Mets selected right handed pitcher Brandon Moore in the 14th round. Worrell and Moore are the first two Indiana Wesleyan baseball players drafted since 1970.
In addition to two Wildcats being drafted during the last two seasons, the Atlanta Braves signed right handed pitcher Brandon Beachy to a professional contract last July.
Worrell finished his four year collegiate career at Indiana Wesleyan with his best season in 2009. The St. Louis, Missouri native finished with a 7-6 record and accumulated a 3.32 ERA. Worrell pitched 78-2/3 innings and allowed just 54 hits on the season while striking out 77 batters.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Josh and I could not be more excited for him," said Indiana Wesleyan baseball coach Chad Newhard. "He has put in a tremendous amount of work towards accomplishing his goal of playing baseball at the professional level and it has become a reality.
The senior pitched in 14 games and started all but one of those games. Over his final 11 appearances of the season, Worrell allowed two runs or less each time out as he had a 1.04 ERA over his final 67 innings.
Newhard said, "As the year passed along not only did Josh show that he could compete at a high level but he also showed tremendous leadership and character.The Kansas City Royals now have a guy that not only will bring a tremendous work ethic to their organization but will be a positive influence on the people that he is around."
Worrell was selected to the All-Mid-Central College Conference team and was named NAIA Pitcher of the Week.