June 7th, 2011
Panik Selected 29th By San Francisco Giants
St. John's All-American is highest pick from program since 2005
Third team All-American, first team All-BIG EAST selection, Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist and third team Academic All-American Joe Panik was selected by the San Francisco Giants as the 29th overall selection in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
Panik represents the highest selection for a St. John's player since the Boston Red Sox drafted Craig Hansen as 26th overall pick in the 2005 draft and is the first middle infielder taken by the Giants in the first round since Royce Clayton in 1988.
"It was a surreal experience to hear my name called by Bud Selig and I have never felt so much joy in my life," said Panik. "I want to thank my family for all of their support and all of my coaches, especially the coaching staff at St. John's, for helping me become the player I am today."
Panik set new career-highs in batting average (.398), hits (90), doubles (19), home runs (10), RBI (57), slugging percentage (.642), on-base percentage (.509) and stolen bases (21) as a junior this past season. On his way to earning first team All-BIG EAST honors, the shortstop finished the regular season ranked in the top ten in the BIG EAST in average (tied for first), on-base percentage (first), slugging percentage (second), runs (tied for second), RBI (fourth), home runs (tied for fifth), doubles (tied for seventh) and stolen bases (eighth).
"Joe has had a tremendous career at St. John's and we are extremely proud of him," said head coach Ed Blankmeyer. "He has steadily improved and elevated his game in each of his three seasons here and all of his hard work has culminated in a first round selection; and honor that is truly well-deserved."
A two-time All-BIG EAST selection and a former Freshman All-American, Panik currently ranks tied for second all-time with a .370 career batting average and also ranks sixth all-time in hits (237), third in RBI (157), fourth in doubles (48) and fifth in home runs (25).
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