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Ohio Baseball's Joe Rock threw a no-hitter on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 against Morehead State. Ohio split the two games with the Eagles (Photo: Nick Viland/WOUB)

Joe Rock(ies): Colorado Selects Bobcat Ace Pitcher In MLB Draft

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An Ohio University Baseball ace is going to play professionally.

The Colorado Rockies drafted left-hander Joe Rock as the 68th overall draft pick in the Competitive Balance Round B of the MLB Draft.  Rock is the highest-drafted pitcher in Ohio history since Dave Tobik back in 1974.

“Congrats to Joe Rock on the 68th overall pick in the MLB Draft,” Ohio interim head coach Craig Moore said on Twitter.  “I got a bit emotional on my phone call with Joe as I know he and his father went through a lot this spring. Do your thing Joe!”

Ohio Baseball's Joe Rock delivers a pitch in the Bobcats' game against Milwaukee on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Photo: Chris J. Day/WOUB)
Ohio Baseball’s Joe Rock delivers a pitch in the Bobcats’ game against Milwaukee on Friday, March 5, 2021. [Photo: Chris J. Day | WOUB]
Rock was ranked as the No. 85 draft prospect according to MLB.com and had pro scouts flocking to Bob Wren Stadium this past spring for each of his starts.

The college baseball world was put on notice when Rock threw a seven-inning no-hitter on Feb. 26 against Morehead State.

Rock made the Mid-American Conference First Team and College Baseball’s NCAA Division I All-America Second Team.

Rock went 8-3 with a 2.33 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 88.2 innings over 14 starts this past spring.

He ranked third in the MAC in strikeouts and innings pitched.  Rock anchored a strong Ohio pitching staff that led the Bobcats to their first winning season since 2017.

After pitching at Hopewell High School (Pa.), the Aliquippa, Pa. native cracked Ohio’s rotation as a freshman in 2019 and had a brief stint in the Cape Cod League that summer.

Rock is the 71st player from Ohio to be selected in the MLB draft since it began in 1965.