Recent Emory University graduate and former Eagles' pitcher Paul Schwendel was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 40th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday, June 6.
Schwendel (Alpharetta, GA/ St. Francis) was selected by the reigning American League champions in the final round of the draft, with the 1,236th overall pick.
Schwendel was an ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region third team selection this season, finishing the season ranked 10th among all NCAA Division III pitchers with 103 strikeouts and 32nd with 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
The righty finished the year with a 6-4 record and a 3.01 ERA, and the fifth-most strikeouts in a single season in the program's history. Highlights from his season included an 11 strikeout performance in the NCAA Championships against DePauw University, and a 13-strikeout game against Methodist University on April 21st.
Schwendel recorded five double-digit strikeout performances over the season, including one in each of his last four starts.