Four Blowfish Drafted

Four former members of the Columbia Blowfish were taken in the Major League Baseball Draft. All four are starting pitchers.

Blake Cooper - The starting pitcher from South Carolina made nine starts for the Blowfish in 2007, accumulating a record of 3-4 during that span. Cooper gave up only 17 runs in 53.2 innings while striking out 45. An ace for the Gamecocks this season, Cooper went 11-1 with a 2.75 ERA. He also struck out 100 in 111.1 innings.

Drafted by Arizona in the 12th Round

Tyler Christman - Christman was drafted in the 44th Round in 2009 during his lone summer with the Blowfish. The USC-Sumter product was nothing short of spectacular, giving up only 12 runs in 61 innings for an ERA of 1.77. He also struck out 58 and walked 19. For the Fire Ants, Christman gave up 22 runs in 82.1 innings. Opponents batted only .192 against him. His WHIP ratio was 0.86 and he averaged 13 strikeouts per game.

Drafted by San Francisco in the 13th Round

Matt Branham - The USC-Upstate pitcher threw in 12 games for the Blowfish in 2007. He struck out 14 and walked 6 in 27.2 innings while ERA was 4.88. Branham was the ace of the Spartans' staff in 2010, striking out 86 in 83.2 innings. Branham gave up 39 runs over the year, for an ERA of 4.20, which was the best among team starters.

Drafted by San Diego in the 27th Round.

Jeremiah Meiners - Meiners spent the summers of 2008 and 2009 wearing the Columbia uniform. The Francis Marion starter made 23 appearances in 2009, giving up 35 hits in 37.1 innings. With the Patriots, Meiners had 10 starts, going 6-2 and striking out 44 in 52 innings.

Drafted by Houston in the 40th Round