June 6, 2006

Right-handed pitcher Seth Overbey was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15th round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. The senior from Waldorf, Md. was the 450th player selected overall and Toronto's 13th pick.

"It is truly an honor to be selected by a great franchise such as the Toronto Blue Jays," Overbey said. "I am excited to get started with my professional baseball career and look forward to taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity."

Overbey, 22, is expected to attend a mini-camp in Florida this weekend where he will learn his plans for the immediate future. The organization could choose to send him to a rookie league affiliate in either Virginia or New York, he said.

A 6-3, 185-pound sidearm hurler, Overbey appeared in 29 games on the mound for the Terps in 2006, setting a new school record. Spending time as both a setup man and the team's closer, he registered a 5-2 record and career-best 3.49 ERA to go along with a pair of saves and 40 strikeouts over 49 innings of work.

In four seasons tossing out of the Maryland bullpen, Overbey went 9-3 with a 5.47 ERA. His 76 appearances are the third-most in Maryland history, trailing only Matt Basinger's 83 (2000-03) and Charles Devereux's 89 (1989-92). Overbey's win totals, appearances, innings pitched and strikeouts improved every year while he was in the program.

A product of McDonogh High School, he recently graduated from the University with a degree in Natural Resources Management.