Twins sign first round pick Tyler Jay

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today the signing of left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay from the University of Illinois whom they selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The 21-year-old was rated as the ninth best prospect in the draft by MLB.com, and Baseball America ranked him as the 13th best prospect and as having the best breaking ball, best command and as closest to the majors in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft.  A native of Lemont, Ill., he posted a record of 5-2 with a 1.08 ERA (66.2 IP, 8 ER), 76 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 appearances (2 starts) for the Fighting Illini this season.  Jay posted a career record of 10-6 with a 1.68 ERA (128.2 IP, 24 ER), 30 walks and 143 strikeouts in 71 career appearance (2 starts) over three seasons for Illinois.  In 2015, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-hander was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American, and a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award and National Pitcher of the Year. The Illini closer holds the school record for saves in a single-season (14, 2015) and in a career (24).

Additionally, the Twins have signed their fifth round pick, left-handed pitcher Alex Robinson, from the University of Maryland.