Edited by Chris Graham
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James Madison junior closer Kevin Munson (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) was selected in the fourth round, number 121 overall, of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
“It seemed like forever. honestly,” said Munson of waiting for the selection. “I didn’t see it pop up. I was watching TV and one of my friends was watching the draft tracker and said ‘There it is, the Diamondbacks!’ I was pumped. With some of the teams coming up in that round, I had an idea it would be soon, but I’m happy the way things worked out.”
Munson is the ninth-highest MLB Draft selection in JMU history. He joined other fourth-round picks Kurt Isenberg (110, 2001-03), Eddie Kim (122, 2000-03), and Doug Harris (124, 1988-90). He is the second JMU player ever drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, joining third-round pick Jared Doyle (99 overall, 2000-02).
JMU head coach Spanky McFarland commented, “We thought it might be a little earlier, but we’re excited that he’s one of the top 121 players in the country. He was also the third player selected in the state of Virginia. It’s great for our program and we wish him the best.”
Munson was named a Third Team All-American last week by Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball. That followed a season in which he was also named the Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year and earned his second straight First Team All-CAA honor.
For his junior campaign, Munson went 8-1 with 10 saves, a 1.64 earned run average and a .174 opponent batting average. In 55 innings pitched, he allowed just 10 earned runs on 33 hits with 70 strikeouts compared to 24 walks. He led the CAA in both wins and saves along with ERA and opponent average. He was ninth in strikeouts and fourth in appearances with 28. Prior to the NCAA Regionals, nationally Munson ranked sixth in ERA, first in fewest hits allowed, third in hits allowed per nine innings (5.40), fourth in opponent average, fifth in fewest earned runs allowed, 11th in strikeouts per nine innings (11.45), 25th in saves, and first in fewest doubles allowed (4).
Munson holds JMU records for career saves (23) and season saves (10), a category in which he also ranks second with nine in 2009. The career mark also sits fourth in CAA history. He is third all-time with a 2.35 career ERA and 10th with his 2010 season ERA of 1.64. His 28 season appearances were one shy of the JMU single-season record.
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