The Major League Baseball 2016 Draft featured a selection from a standout pitcher for Truett McConnell in Jared Oliver.
The senior right hander was drafted in the 26th round by the Boston Red Sox. Oliver carried a 3.74 ERA over 74.2 innings of work, striking out 99 batters while posting a 4-7 record. Hitters had little success off Oliver, hitting just .180 off of him.
In each of the last two seasons, he received the Bears teammate award.
“Jared is a fierce competitor and works harder then anyone I have been around,” said Head Baseball Coach Mike Croley. “He pushed himself and his teammates everyday. He was apart of our first recruiting class as a staff at Truett McConnell and it is a real blessing to see all of his hard work pay off at this time! We desire that our young men will be witnesses for Jesus Christ wherever He puts them and I know that’s what Jared will do on a professional baseball field!”
Oliver was 4-8 with a 5.60 ERA as a junior, with 92 strikeouts. He went 2-4 with a 3.58 as a sophomore with 36 strikeouts, and 1-1 with a save, 15.63 ERA and six strikeouts in limited action in his 2013 freshman season. He closed his career with 11 wins on the mound, striking out a grand total of 233 strikeouts.
