Giants select college right-handed pitcher Chris Stratton with first pick

The San Francisco Giants selected 2012 Golden Spikes semi-finalist right-handed pitcher, Chris Stratton, with the 20th overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player draft.

Stratton, 6-3, 198-pound right-hander from Tupelo, Mississippi is one of 30 semi-finalists for this year’s Golden Spikes award, who lead the Southeastern Conference with 11 wins and a 2.21 ERA (25er, 102.0ip), while finishing second with 123 strikeouts. Overall, Stratton went 11-2 with 1 save, while walking 25 batters and holding opponents to a .211 batting average against. The SEC pitcher of the year became Mississippi State’s Friday starter after beginning the season from the bullpen. One of Stratton’s most impressive performances this season came when he struck out 17 batters on March 16 vs. Louisiana State University, which marked the most strikeouts by any pitcher in one game in the SEC this year.

The right-hander was named to the 2012 Louisville Slugger NCAA Division One All-American first team. The college junior was also named to the 2012 All-SEC First Team and received the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given each year to the top collegiate baseball player in Mississippi. Stratton was also named as a semifinalist for the NCBWA’s Dick Howser Trophy, which goes to the national player of the year.

During his sophomore season, Stratton went 5-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 games, while striking out 76 batters in 76.0 innings pitched. He also earned a berth on the 2011 SEC Academic Honor Roll.

As a Freshman, the Mississippi native earned SEC All-Freshman team honors as he lead all SEC freshman pitchers with 55 strikeouts in conference play. 

The last college pitcher that San Francisco selected in the first round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft was RHP Tim Lincecum out of the University of Washington.

Rounds two through 15 continue at 9:00 a.m. PDT tomorrow.