SEACAUCUS, N.J. – The St. Louis Cardinals chose John Durham in the 38th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft Thursday afternoon.
Durham was the 18th pick of the 38th round. He is the first Royal to be acquired by the Cardinals organization since Troy Konemann was selected as a rookie free agent in 1991.
The Port St. Lucie, Fla. native was a four-year player for the Royals, starting in 28 games on the mound and pitching in 55 total games throughout his collegiate career at Warner. This season, Durham took on the role as the Royals ace, a role that was a perfect fit for the left hand hurler; he led the team in starts (14), wins (9), complete games (5), innings pitched (84.2), strikeouts (70), and opposing batting avg. (.245), while tying the school record in complete game shutouts for a season with two for the second consecutive season. Durham finished the season with a career low 3.19 ERA on his way to earning All-Conference honors.
For his career, Durham had a 20-10 overall record with a 3.72 ERA while logging 213.1 innings pitched and striking out 198 batters.
Durham’s first stop on his journey to the majors begins in Johnson City, Tenn. with the Cardinals Rookie League Affiliate, the Johnson City Cardinals of the Appalachian League.
Durham is one of only three players and the only pitcher from The Sun Conference to be drafted in this year’s draft. All Conference players Charles Thomas of Edward Waters College and Austin Goolsby of Embry-Riddle University were drafted in the 10th and 49th rounds respectively.