The Keepers - #74 - SP - Collin McHugh

74. Collin McHugh – SP – low-A – 23/yrs.

From his school web site on signing day:

Berry pitcher Collin McHugh signed a professional contract with the New York Mets Sunday at Berry's Steven J. Cage Athletics & Recreation Center. Having signed the contract, McHugh will report to the Mets' mini-camp in St. Lucie, Fla. on Tuesday.

"Ever since I was a kid it has been my dream to play professional baseball," said McHugh. "I am very excited to get the opportunity to play baseball at the next level, especially with a top-notch organization like the Mets." McHugh, who finished his junior season as the Berry and Southern States Athletic Conference's leader in strikeouts per-nine innings (9.05), will not return for his senior season at Berry in order to pursue his professional career. He finishes his time as a Viking with a 13-9 record and five saves. He finishes with a total of 167 strikeouts compared to just 66 walks.

The Mets drafted McHugh in the 18th round of the 2008 draft. 2008 stats as SP for Berry (a favorite drafting school for the Mets): 4.67 ERA 61.2 IP 67 H 20 BB 62 K 15 HBP

In 2008, McHugh pitched for Kingsport (0-0, 4.17, in 12 games, 8 starts).

MuHugh played 2009 for the Brooklyn Cyclones and had an outstanding year: 8-2, 2.76. 79K in 75.0 innings pitched.

Forecast:

McHugh is one of those under-the-radar kind of pitchers that just creeped up this year with great stats. Normally, some of these kids go straight to Lucy the next year, but the “Savannah Four” should prevent that from happening this time. Look for McHugh to join most of his Clone buddies in Savannah come March.