SECAUCUS, N.J. – University of South Alabama baseball right-handed pitcher Zach Greene was selected by the New York Yankees in the eighth round (255th overall pick) of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Greene, a 2019 First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, ranked second in the Sun Belt in saves (13) this season while finishing 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in 27 relief appearances. He struck out 70 batters against eight walks in 49 2/3 innings pitched. In 16 Sun Belt appearances in 2019, Greene went 1-0 with 11 saves and a 1.23 ERA while striking out 40 batters against four walks in 29 1/3 innings pitched. 

"Coming back to South Alabama (for senior season), I knew what I was giving up and it wasn't guaranteed that I would get that same opportunity this year," Greene said. "Just turning that down, I knew I still had work to do at South to get better and this was the best place to do it; it definitely paid off for me.

"The history of the Yankee organization is incredible. If you look at their bullpen arms with the big league club, all of those guys throw hard so they're doing something right somewhere at some point in the player development. I'm excited to work with those guys who are the best of the best and just get better."

Greene became the program's single-season save leader with his 13th save of the season in a May 12 win at Appalachian State, passing Kyle Bartsch (2013) and Mike Nakamura (1995) on the school's list. He finished his career with 18 saves, which ranks tied for second on the program's all-time list with Blaine Dollar (1971-74).

In his two-year career at South Alabama, Greene finished with a 4-4 record and 2.70 ERA in 50 appearances with two starts. He recorded 150 strikeouts against 21 walks in 106 2/3 innings pitched and also combined for two shutouts.

"I cut out the not-so-great appearances this season," Greene said of his senior campaign. "Last year, I was spotty sometimes but I think my command was better this year, all three pitches were better, my velocity was consistently up and I think I just competed better."

Greene's selection by the Yankees marks the seventh consecutive year that a Jaguar pitcher has been drafted, dating back to the 2013 MLB Draft with Bartsch and right-hander Dylan Stamey.

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