June 9, 2009

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Cincinnati Reds selected Arizona State junior right handed pitcher Mike Leake with the 8th overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. Leake is the 25th all-time Sun Devil to go in the first round and the third in the last two years.

Leake, who won Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons, is 16-1 this season, the national leader in victories. He has 40 in his career at Arizona State, tied with Eddie Bane for the most ever by a three-year pitcher.

Leake is the highest Sun Devil drafted since Ryan Mills went sixth overall to the Twins in 1998. He becomes the seventh first round pick under head coach Pat Murphy.