Ohio State then-junior right-handed pitcher TJ Brock (17) throws a pitch during the Ohio State-Indiana game April 3, 2021. Ohio State won 5-2. Credit: Gretchen Rudolph | For The Lantern
Senior pitcher TJ Brock became the first Buckeye selected in the 2022 MLB draft when the Toronto Blue Jays chose the right-hander in the sixth round Monday.
Brock went as the No. 188 overall choice during the second day of the draft. The Cincinnati native appeared in 11 games last season, all but one out of the bullpen, and went 1-2 with 23 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.
The right-hander often pitched late in games and served largely as Ohio State’s closer over his four-year career. Across 51 games in his career, Brock recorded a 5.68 earned-run average with 90 punch outs in 77 2/3 innings and 11 saves.
Brock pitched in a career-high 19 games during the 2021 season. He had a 2.08 ERA alongside a career-best 33 strikeouts and nine saves en route to Third Team All-Big Ten recognition.
Brock is the 111th all-time draft pick in program history and 28th Buckeye selected under former head coach Greg Beals, who was relieved of his duties May 23.
