In Day 3 of the MLB Draft, three more University of Illinois players join Matt Milroy as MLB draft selections. Within ten rounds, Willie Argo, Jordan Parr and Kevin Johnson were drafted by MLB teams.
Willie Argo |
22nd round (692nd pick overall) |
Tampa Bay Rays |
CF |
No college player will ever top Willie Argo’s freshman debut. He hit three homeruns in his first three at-bats as an Illini against the #1 LSU Tigers in 2009. Ironically, Illinois lost that game but the message was sent and Illinois won the other two games of that series much to the dismay of the Tiger fans.
There was no doubt at least in my mind that Argo’s name was going to be called in the MLB draft. To look at Argo and his physique, you would think, “Ballplayer”. However to watch his hustle and attitude, you would think “Winning Ballplayer”. Argo gives it all whether it was a Big Ten conference game or just a pick up game during practice.
Argo ended the 2012 with a .318 average and 47 runs scored. He stole 22 bases which gave him 98 for his career. That’s tops in Illinois team history and fifth in Big Ten.
Jordan Parr |
26nd round (806th pick overall) |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
3B |
We Illini fans only got to see one year of Jordan Parr but it was quite a year. He gave us a lot of production at the plate. Parr led the team in hitting (.348), rbis (45), homers (tied with 5), slugging (.517), and doubles (13) and was key in the fifth spot in the lineup.
Parr’s talent seems to run in the family. Not only does he have two brothers, Josh, who is in the minors and Justin, who is with the Illini now but Dad Cam was also rumored to be a pretty good shortstop in his day.
A versatile fielder, Jordan was drafted by the Dodgers as a thirdbaseman. Hint to LA: rumor has it he plays outfield and first base pretty well, too.
Kevin Johnson |
31st round (967th pick overall) |
New York Yankees |
P |
There’s no dispute that Kevin Johnson has been the most consistent pitcher for Illini in recent history.
For the past two years, Johnson was the Friday starter and showed stability on the mound. In 2012 though, Johnson really broke out. Part of the reason was offensive support. This year, he got it. And when he did, Johnson really thrived. He went 7-5 with a 3.97 ERA and four complete games.
Johnson won five straight starts in March and now holds the record for career innings in Big Ten play with 153 2/3.
Congratulations to all four Illini draftees. Good luck to Matt Milroy, Willie Argo, Jordan Parr and Kevin Johnson!!