Nedeljkovic Drafted by Colorado Rockies

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami relief ace Eric Nedeljkovic was the fourth Hurricane selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Saturday.

Nedeljkovic was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 21st round (No. 619 overall).

“It’s an unbelievable honor,” he said. “It’s what every kid wishes for his whole life. I couldn’t be more proud, especially to be picked by a great organization like the Rockies.”

A 6-foot, 175-pounder hailing from Folsom, Calif., the righthander served as the anchor of the bullpen in his final season as a Hurricane. Nedeljkovic was awarded closer duties early into the season, and wound up ranked first in the Atlantic Coast Conference in saves (13) by year’s end.  In 25 appearances spanning 26.1 innings, he allowed just four runs, good for a miniscule ERA of 1.37. The senior finished the season with a 2-2 record, boasting an impressive 30:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a measly opponent batting average of .188.

Nedeljkovic was recognized for his dominant season as one of 51 relievers selected to the midseason watch list for the ninth annual NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. Nedeljkovic joins Miami signees Matt McPhearson (fourth round, Arizona Diamondbacks), J.D. Underwood (fifth round, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Willie Abreu (14^th round, Cincinnati Reds) as draftees through the first 21 rounds.