EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern junior Matt Portland was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday.
"This is something I've always dreamed of for as long as I can remember," said Portland. "For that dream to become a reality today is something really special."
Portland has been a powerful presence on the pitching mound since arriving in Evanston for the 2013 season. The southpaw made 29 appearances, including 26 starts in a Wildcats uniform.
The Victor, N.Y., native put forth a breakout effort during his junior season this spring. Fully healthy, he made a career-high 14 starts (15 appearances) while accumulating a team-high 89 innings on the bump in 2015. Portland fanned 68 batters to lead Chicago's Big Ten Team this spring.
Portland turned in multiple memorable efforts for the Wildcats in his third campaign as he notched a team-best 10 quality starts. Perhaps the most memorable of those outings came on May 2 when he stifled the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Rocky Miller Park. He struck out eight and walked only one, while scattering 11 hits in a complete-game shutout. He earned his first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor following that victory.
The left-hander's final start of the season was also brilliant as he tamed the Maryland Terrapins in a 3-2 NU triumph. Portland allowed only three hits in seven innings of work while striking out a career-high nine in seven innings. Maryland became one of two Big Ten teams that would go on to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals after topping the top overall seed, UCLA, in the regional round.
Kansas City won the American League pennant in 2014 before falling in seven thrilling games in the World Series. The Major League club is currently leading the AL Central division.
Portland's cousin, Phil Hughes, is a member of the starting rotation for the Minnesota Twins.
"I'm thrilled to join a great organization in the Kansas City Royals and hopefully be reunited with one of my ex-teammates, Luke Farrell," said Portland.
Farrell, a former Northwestern ace who was drafted in the sixth round in 2013, is currently pitching for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Class AA affiliate of the Royals.
When his name was called Wednesday, Portland became the 66th student-athlete who played under Paul Stevens to be drafted by, or sign a contract with, a professional Major League Baseball organization. At least one Wildcat has been taken in 17 of the last 18 MLB Drafts.
"This is something I've always dreamed of for as long as I can remember," said Portland. "For that dream to become a reality today is something really special."
Portland has been a powerful presence on the pitching mound since arriving in Evanston for the 2013 season. The southpaw made 29 appearances, including 26 starts in a Wildcats uniform.
The Victor, N.Y., native put forth a breakout effort during his junior season this spring. Fully healthy, he made a career-high 14 starts (15 appearances) while accumulating a team-high 89 innings on the bump in 2015. Portland fanned 68 batters to lead Chicago's Big Ten Team this spring.
Portland turned in multiple memorable efforts for the Wildcats in his third campaign as he notched a team-best 10 quality starts. Perhaps the most memorable of those outings came on May 2 when he stifled the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Rocky Miller Park. He struck out eight and walked only one, while scattering 11 hits in a complete-game shutout. He earned his first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor following that victory.
The left-hander's final start of the season was also brilliant as he tamed the Maryland Terrapins in a 3-2 NU triumph. Portland allowed only three hits in seven innings of work while striking out a career-high nine in seven innings. Maryland became one of two Big Ten teams that would go on to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals after topping the top overall seed, UCLA, in the regional round.
Kansas City won the American League pennant in 2014 before falling in seven thrilling games in the World Series. The Major League club is currently leading the AL Central division.
Portland's cousin, Phil Hughes, is a member of the starting rotation for the Minnesota Twins.
"I'm thrilled to join a great organization in the Kansas City Royals and hopefully be reunited with one of my ex-teammates, Luke Farrell," said Portland.
Farrell, a former Northwestern ace who was drafted in the sixth round in 2013, is currently pitching for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Class AA affiliate of the Royals.
When his name was called Wednesday, Portland became the 66th student-athlete who played under Paul Stevens to be drafted by, or sign a contract with, a professional Major League Baseball organization. At least one Wildcat has been taken in 17 of the last 18 MLB Drafts.