Giovenco drafted by the Kansas City Royals

Press Release posted by North Park

North Park University baseball pitcher Mike Giovenco was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 14th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft Tuesday.
Giovenco, a native of River Grove, IL and a graduate of Fenwick High School was the 419th overall pick. He was selected in the 26th round of the 2009 MLB draft, but decided to return to school for his junior season.

"Everybody in our program is extremely happy for Mike and his family. He's one of the hardest workers that I've had the pleasure of being around as a player or a coach," fifth-year head coach Luke Johnson said. "Mike has been a big part of a nucleus of guys who have continued to elevate the level of success and reputation of our program. Being a 26th round draft pick last year put a big target on his back and every game he threw was a big game. His ability to grow as a player given the circumstances is a real testament to how far he's come, as well as what we do as a program."

After returning to North Park for his junior year, Giovenco broke his own single season strikeout record, fanning 101 batters, 14 better than his mark of 87 in the 2009 season. He was ranked sixth in the NCAA in strikeouts, 17th in strikeouts per nine innings with a 10.9 average, and 17th in hits allowed per nine innings with 6.64.

In addition to his national rankings, Giovenco earned his second straight All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin First Team selection and was named to the American Baseball Coaches of America All-Central Region Team.

North Park finished the season with a 28-15 record, the most victories under Coach Johnson, and qualified for the CCIW Tournament with a 15-7 record, its second appearance in the postseason tournament in the last four years.