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Illini's Tyler Jay Taken 6th Overall in MLB Draft; Vandy SS Swanson No. 1 Pick

 width=>>Illini's Jay Taken 6th Overall

The Minnesota Twins have selected left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay from the University of Illinois in the first round of the 2015 first-year player draft.

Minnesota chose Jay with the sixth overall selection.

The 21-year-old junior becomes the second-highest drafted player in University of Illinois history, and the highest since shortstop Jim Vopicka was taken fifth overall in the 1966 draft by the Angels.

The native of Lemont, Illinois, posted a record of 5-2 with a 1.08 ERA, 76 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 appearances (two starts) for the Illini this season.

In 2015, the 6-foot-1 left-hander was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American. The Illini closer holds the school record for saves in a single season (14, 2015) and in a career (24).

>>Vandy's Dansby Swanson Goes No. 1 Overall in MLB Draft

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson with the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Swanson joins Justin Upton (2005) as the only No. 1 overall selections in franchise history, and is the first collegiate position player chosen by the D-backs in the first round since Stephen Drew (15th overall) in 2004.

 width=For the first time in the 50 years of MLB's draft, a shortstop was selected with each of the first three picks.

Houston picked second as compensation for not signing its No. 1 overall pick a year ago, Brady Aiken. The Astros went with Alex Bregman of LSU.

The Colorado Rockies took Brendan Rodgers of Lake Mary High School third overall.

Swanson's Commodores defeated the University of Illinois Monday afternoon to return to the College World Series to defend their title. He seamlessly switched from second base to shortstop this season as a junior.

The 21-year-old Swanson, a two-time All-American at Vanderbilt and finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, took home Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2014 College World Series as the Commodores won their first championship.

Swanson became the second Vanderbilt player to be selected No. 1 overall (David Price in 2007). He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign.

The Rangers broke the shortstop trend with the fourth pick, taking University of California - Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Dillon Tate.

The Astros got to pick again at No. 5 and took Florida high school outfielder Kyle Tucker, the brother of Houston left fielder Preston Tucker.

With the sixth pick, the Minnesota Twins picked up Illinois pitcher Tyler Jay. The Boston Red Sox then grabbed outfielder Andrew Benintendi with the seventh pick. The Chicago White Sox took Swanson's teammate Carson Fulmer with the eighth pick.

The Chicago Cubs picked up Cincinnati outfielder Ian Happ at No. 9. The Philadelphia Phillies rounded out the top-10 with high school shortstop Cornelius Randolph.

The Indians selected Aiken with the 17th pick. After failing to sign with the Astros, Aiken enrolled at IMG Academy so he would be eligible for this year's draft rather than attend college.

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