June 6, 2006

Washington Nationals select Arnesen in MLB Draft

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Washington Nationals organization selected Grove City College senior right-handed pitcher Erik Arnesen (Princeton, N.J./Timothy Christian) in the 17th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday afternoon.

A 6-foot-4, 260-pounder, Arnesen went 9-0 for Grove City this year, posting a 2.92 ERA. He struck out 84 batters in 71 innings this year and allowed just 61 hits. Arnesen also limited opponents to a .234 batting average against this year. He also set new Grove City single-season records for wins, innings pitched and strikeouts this season.

Following the season, he earned First Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference honors and was unofficially recognized by the league coaches as PAC Pitcher of the Year. Arnesen also earned Second Team All-Mideast Region recognition from the America Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings.

Arnesen followed the draft on-line during the afternoon but did not necessarily expect to be chosen on the first day of the two-day draft.

"I'm real excited, especially because I was not expecting to be taken on the first day," Arnesen said. "It has been a crazy day but I am pumped about it."

Arnesen admitted that he had been very nervous in the days leading up to the draft but relied on his faith during that time. "I want to thank God for everything," Arnesen said. "I knew that it was all in His hands and that He would take care of everything."

This season, Arnesen helped Grove City to a school-record 26 victories and the program's first-ever NCAA Mideast Region ranking. The Wolverines posted a 17-win improvement in 2006.

"It is a huge day for the Grove City College baseball program, but more importantly, it is a great day for Erik," Grove City head coach Rob Skaricich said. "This has been a dream of his and he has worked very, very hard to achieve it. It is great to see a quality young man like Erik get drafted. It is tremendous."

Arnesen compiled a 14-3 record with three saves during his four years at Grove City. He accumulated 146 strikeouts in 135.1 career innings. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management May 20.

"Being a student-athlete at Grove City College was an awesome experience," Arnesen said. "I wouldn't have traded it for anything."

The Nationals have a rookie-level team in Melbourne, Fla. that competes in the Gulf Coast League. The organization also has a short-season Class A team in Vermont, which is a member of the New York-Penn League. Arnesen will likely be assigned to one of those two affiliates. Both affiliates open play June 20.

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