LayelBurton Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 (edited) Kyle McMillen Born:3/14/1990 Birthplace: N.Canton, OH College: Kent State Height: 6'2 Weight: 200 Bats: L Throws: R McMillen was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft by the Chicago White Sox. 2011 Great Falls Voyagers: (0-1) 45.00ERA 2G 0GS 1.0IP 7R 5ER 3BB 2K Edited June 30, 2011 by LayelBurton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayelBurton Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Jackson resident Kyle McMillen drafted by White Sox http://www.cantonrep.com/highschool/x18417...y-the-White-Sox JACKSON TWP. — As a part-time pitcher and full-time position player, Kyle McMillen was good. With all his energies and talents focused on pitching this season, the Kent State University junior and Jackson Twp. resident turned out to be exceptional. The Chicago White Sox selected McMillen in the fourth round — 141st overall — in baseball’s First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. McMillen was Kent State’s closer as the Golden Flashes won Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships and fell a win short of capturing a regional title this weekend in Texas. Along the way, McMillen’s professional stock skyrocketed. A full-time first baseman and part-time pitcher in 2010, McMillen put down the bat in 2011. The right-hander saved 18 games with a 1.80 ERA and a 1-2 record as a pitcher only. He earned third-team All-America honors. “I focused more on getting better as a pitcher, as opposed to focusing on getting better as a player in general,” McMillen, 21, said. “Instead of playing all the games in the field and pitching when I could, “I had a pitch-first role this year. It seemed to help me develop.” The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McMillen features a four-seam fastball in the mid 90s, a two-seamer that rides in on hitters and a slider. A changeup is in development. He also features an attitude that endeared him to the White Sox. “We love his competitive nature,” said Nick Hostetler, the White Sox scouting department’s East Coast cross checker. “He’s a bulldog on the mound. ... “As far as stuff-wise, we like the heaviness and the sink on his fastball. The slider is a true strikeout pitch.” The White Sox had McMillen pegged as a potential 10th- to 12th-round pick entering this season. But that changed quickly. Hostetler, White Sox area scout Phil Gulley and another staff member flew in to watch McMillen against Cleveland State. “It was a Monday, it was cold and rainy, and he was lights out,” said Hostetler, a Wayne County native. “I think that opened our eyes to, ‘Hey, this guy’s a lot better than what we thought.’ ” McMillen, whom Baseball America ranked as the 94th-best prospect in the draft, went 1-2 with four saves and a 4.44 ERA over 19 appearances as a sophomore. He did that while being third on the team in batting at .354. He totaled six home runs, 15 doubles, 46 RBIs and 51 runs scored. This year, he never registered an at-bat. Focusing solely on pitching, he struck out 31 batters in 30 innings. Opponents hit .175 off him. His 18 saves are Kent State and MAC records. McMillen spent Tuesday with his parents, Scott and Tawnia, and about 20 friends and family at their Jackson Township home. A TV and three laptop computers kept them up to date on the draft happenings. “It’s a little bit disbelief, a little bit relief,” McMillen said of getting selected. “At the same time, you work so hard to get to this point, and to have it actualize is gratifying. It’s an honor.” McMillen attended Canton Country Day School until eighth grade. He then went to Hoban High School in Akron, like each of his three brothers have done. His sister, Kiana, attends Jackson Middle School. His youngest brother, Kolin, was the starting shortstop for Hoban’s Division II state runner-up baseball team this season. Kolin is headed to Mercyhurst next year on a scholarship. Hostetler said the organization reached an agreement in principle with Kyle and that he should sign in the next couple of days. McMillen has the option of returning to Kent State for his senior season. Hostetler said the White Sox will probably have McMillen build up innings early in his career, continue to develop his changeup and see if he can start. Then, depending how he progresses, a decision will be made on whether to put him in the bullpen or start him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayelBurton Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 McMillen continues to struggle in Great Falls. 0.1IP 3H 4R/ER BB & was credited with Loss (0-1) ERA jumps to 45.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPN366 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 On the DL according to Baseball America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Ugh, that was quick. Any details out there? Hopefully not arm related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OilCan Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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