BELLEVUE, Neb. -- For the second time in three seasons the Bellevue University baseball team saw two pitchers selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft.
Senior right-handed relievers Leland Tilley (Exeter, Calif.) and John Timmins (Bellevue, Neb.) were each selected in the 32nd round. Timmins was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 965th pick and Tilley went to the St. Louis Cardinals with the 976th pick.
Tilley pitched to a 10-1 record and registered nine saves for the Bruins on the season. He struck out 43 batters in 40.2 innings of work to support a 2.43 ERA. The 6-3, 215 pound sidewinder features a low 90's fastball with good movement, a heavy sinker, and a solid slider.
Timmins didn't record a decision in 11 appearances for BU. He worked 16.2 innings and struck out 18 batters on the year and his 6.48 ERA is a bit deceptive. The 6-5, 215 pound reliever has a hard and heavy mid-90's fastball as his go to pitch with a slider as a secondary offering.
Since 2014, Bellevue has seen five players drafted in the annual June draft – all pitchers – and if both Tilley and Timmins sign with their respective organizations, Bellevue will have six former players on MiLB rosters. Bellevue has now had 24 players selected all-time in the MLB Draft.
This past season the Bruins concluded their most successful season since 1997, picking up a third place finish at the Avista-NAIA World Series. Bellevue claimed a 54-12 overall record on the season (20-3 North Star) while winning both the league's regular-season and tournament championships. Bellevue won the Davenport Opening Round Bracket to reach the World Series for the 13th time in program history. The 54 wins by this year's club are tied for the third most in program history and are the most under current head coach Duane Monlux.
