June 7, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa starting left-handed pitcher Matt Dermody was selected in the Major League Baseball’s 2011 First-Year Player Draft Tuesday afternoon by the Colorado Rockies in the 29th round (888th pick) and incoming recruit Derrick Loveless was selected in the 27th round (827) by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Dermody (6-5, 200) started 14 games this past season finishing with a 4-6 record and 4.15 ERA. He threw 84 and 2/3 innings, which ranks 13th most in a season in school history. The native of Norwalk, Iowa, recorded 75 strikeouts, which ties for the 10th most in a single-season at Iowa. Furthermore, the 75 strikeouts led the conference. Dermody, who was named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree yesterday, allowed two runs or less in nine of his 14 outings. Twenty-five of his 75 strikeouts were looking, which ranked third best in the Big Ten.
“I’m excited for Matt,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “Matt’s worked incredibly hard over the last two seasons. It’s very rewarding for a sophomore to be drafted, because of his age. Now, it’s going to be a wait-and-see with Matt and see what he decides. He has a very bright future, whether it’s pitching for the Rockies or coming to play for us next year.”
Loveless, a Solon native, is an outfielder who ranks as the top player in the state of Iowa by Perfect Game USA. He is a two-time first team all-conference honoree and a two-time first team all-district selection. Loveless, batted .528 as a junior and was named elite first-team all-state. He holds the Solon High School records for triples in a season (6). Loveless, who was named a preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball, is the son of former Hawkeye football player Derrius Loveless, has won state titles in three different sports (baseball, football, track).
“Derrick has a very high ceiling,” Dahm said. “It’s a great honor for him. He is one of the best high school athletes in the state of Iowa, and one of the best I have seen since I have been at the University of Iowa. Derrick is going to have a decision to make towards the end of the summer.”
Under Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm, 24 Hawkeyes have been drafted. Eighteen players have been drafted in the past five years.
“We would love to see both Matt and Derrick in a Hawkeye uniform next year, but it’s a family decision and whatever they decide, they are going to have a great future,” added Dahm.
The first 30 rounds of the draft are now complete, with the final 20 rounds taking place tomorrow. Follow the draft live at mlb.com.