PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Mark McCoy (Barnegat, N.J.) of the Rutgers baseball team was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 29th round of the Major League Baseball Draft Wednesday. The left-handed pitcher was the No. 879 pick overall.

Having just completed his junior season with the Scarlet Knights, McCoy still has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining. He has until the July 17 deadline to decide on turning professional or staying on campus. McCoy was previously drafted out of high school in the 26th round (2012) by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Arriving at Rutgers as a transfer from Wake Forest in the fall of 2014, McCoy earned a spot in the weekend rotation and made 12 starts on the season, including seven to begin a series. He finished second on the team with 63.0 innings pitched and 46 strikeouts (21 called). Displaying a good move to first, the lefty tied for second in the Big Ten with four pickoffs.

McCoy finished the season strong by tossing four scoreless innings to preserve a one-run victory over No. 13 Iowa in the last game of the year to clinch the series. In addition to that save, the left-hander also collected wins over Seton Hall and Minnesota.

It is the second consecutive year the Scarlet Knights have had a player drafted, as Brian O'Grady was picked in the eighth round in 2014 by the Cincinnati Reds. McCoy joins Mike Bionde (2007), Darren Fenster (2000) and David DeJesus (2000) as Rutgers players selected by the Kansas City Royals since 2000. DeJesus is currently in his 12th season in the major leagues, now playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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