CEDARVILLE, Ohio -
Ryan Ledbetter will join his twin brother in the Texas Rangers' organization after he was taken in the 19th round on Day 3 of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Ledbetter, a six-foot 190-pound junior right-handed pitcher from Fishers, Ind., was the 580th player chosen overall. The announcement comes one day after the Rangers took twin brother, RHP
David Ledbetter, in the third round with the 99th overall pick.
“I feel really good about being drafted by the same team as my brother,” said Ryan. “It will make it easier for us to train together and to have a brother in Christ there.”
Ledbetter was 6-3 this spring with a team-leading 3.05 earned run average. He struck out 59 batters in 56.0 innings while being voted to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference First Team.
Ledbetter, who did not pitch his freshman season following Tommy John surgery, went 10-4 with a 3.16 ERA in two years at Cedarville. As the team's closer in 2012, he posted a 4-1 record with six saves and a 3.34 ERA.
As far as his career at CU, Ledbetter stated, “It was a one-of-a-kind experience. Very unique. I wouldn't be where I am without Cedarville. I appreciate the guidance the school gave me especially from a spiritual perspective.”
Despite losing two quality pitchers to the draft, CU Head Coach
Mike Manes remarked, "I'm not sure it's ever happened where twin brothers have been drafted by the same team in the same year. It will be a great experience for them to both get a chance with the Rangers especially since they've rarely been apart from one another."
The Ledbetters are scheduled to report to Texas by June 11. They'll obtain physicals and then wait to see where they'll be assigned in the Rangers' minor league system.
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