A.J. Achter signs with Minnesota Twins
Michigan State pitcher A.J. Achter’s (Clay) college baseball career is officially over. That’s a good thing.
Achter was drafted and signed with the Minnesota Twins this week. He immediately was sent to Elizabethtown, Kentucky to begin his professional career. The Elizabethtown Twins compete in the Appalachian Rookie League.
This summer, Achter was selected to the wood bat summer college Cape Cod League All-Star Team. Achter, who was fifth in the Cape Cod with a 1.00 ERA, represented the West Division in the annual Cape Cod League All-Star Game July 28 at Fenway Park. The game was televised live on CBS College Sports.
Playing for the Cotuit Kettleers, Achter has proven to be one of the premier pitchers in the most prestigious collegiate summer league in the country. In 11 appearances and 27 innings pitched, Achter has only allowed three earned runs while striking out 23 batters. He owns a 2-2 record and has recorded three saves.
Achter, who was drafted in the 46th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by Minnesota but has elected to pitch for MSU his senior season, is the only Big Ten player to be selected to the 2010 Cape Cod League All-Star Team.
Achter garnered the Robin Roberts Most Valuable Pitcher honor this past season after his first year as the team's No. 1 starter and ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 74 strikeouts. He led the Spartans' starting pitchers in 2010 with a 4.20 ERA in 14 starts. His 98.2 innings pitched rank second, behind only Bryan Gale (100, 2002), on the MSU single-season list. His 4-4 record included consecutive shutouts wins over Notre Dame and Oakland.
Achter, a junior at MSU last spring, earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and was named to the College Baseball Foundation's Weekly National All-Star Lineup on March 22 after striking out a career high nine batters in his complete-game shutout win over Notre Dame.
Since 1974, the Minnesota Twins have been sending their first-year players to Elizabethton. This relationship continues to this day as Elizabethton plays a key role in player development for the Minnesota Twins. With a population of a little more than 14,000 individuals this Minor League Baseball city has had its share of great success.
With seven Appalachian League Championships since 1974, the latest being in 2005, the Elizabethton Twins continue to produce quality teams. The Elizabethton Twins have not had a losing season since 1989 and through the years this franchise has produced its share of Major League talent. Notable alumni include: Butch Wynegar (1974), Jesse Orosco (1978), Gary Gaetti (1979), Kent Hrbek (1979), Jim Eisenreich (1980), Jeff Reed (1980), Kirby Puckett (1982), Jay Bell (1984), Marty Cordova (1989), Denny Neagle (1989), Denny Hocking (1990), Todd Ritchie (1990), Eddie Guardado (1991), LaTroy Hawkins (1992), Corey Koskie (1994), A.J. Pierzynski (1995), Mike Restovich (1998), Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer (2001).
Joe O'Brien Field is located along the banks of the scenic Watauga River. Overlooking the Appalachian Mountains this stadium provides fans with a wonderful setting to enjoy baseball.
Another former Clay graduate playing professional baseball, Justin Thomas, was at Fifth Third Field Wednesday night. Playing for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians, Thomas pitched to four batters. Thomas played his college baseball at Youngstown State University.
Sports Announcements
The Lake Baseball Association will be holding an U10 evaluation day for all boys that go to Lake Schools or live in Lake Township. Players must be 8, 9 or 10-years-old as of May 1, 2011. The evaluation will take place September 11 at Loop Park in Walbridge from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.leaguelineup.com/lake-baseball to pre-register. Call Marty Pennington at 419-836-8984.
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