Axelson Selected In Fifth Round Of Amateur Baseball Draft
6/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 5, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State junior pitcher Josh Axelson (Brooklyn, Mich.) was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round (143rd overall pick) of the 2000 First Year Player Baseball Draft. Axelson is the highest Spartan selected in the draft since Mark Mulder was the second player selected in the 1998 draft by the Oakland A's.
"I'm the happiest man in the world right now," said Axelson. "I couldn't be any happier. It's been a life-long dream of mine to be a professional baseball player and now that's a reality."
A 6-2, 195-pound right-hander, Axelson finished the 2000 season with a 3-6 record and a 5.12 ERA. In 65.0 innings pitched he struck out 66 batters while allowing 73 hits and walking 31. He allowed 43 runs, 37 of them being earned. Axelson split time between relief and starting duties, starting nine of the 17 games in which he appeared. He was second on the team in both saves (2) and complete games (2).
Over his three-year career at Michigan State, Axelson amassed a 4-9 record, striking out 116 batters in 119.1 innings pitched, while holding a 5.96 ERA. Axelson also collected seven saves during his career.
"This is very good day for Josh and for Michigan State baseball," said Michigan State head coach Ted Mahan. "For Josh to be drafted this high is just fantastic. Josh has worked very hard at Michigan State and has been a terrific leader in our program. I think that both physically and mentally, Josh is ready for pro baseball."
