Alabama State relief pitchers Armando Ruiz and Jorge Pantoja were selected Wednesday in the Major League Baseball Draft.
 
Ruiz was a 29^th round selection by the Oakland A's, while Pantoja was a 30^th round selection by the Washington Nationals.
 
Ruiz and Pantoja became the ninth and 10^th ASU baseball players selected in the MLB Draft, with five players drafted in the past two seasons - Jesse Cleveland (1965), Willie Garrison (1967), William Hardy (1979), Rufas Ellis (1984 and 1985), Adrian Urquhart (2002), and Emmanuel Marrero, Richard Amion, and Richard Gonzalez (2014)
 
Ruiz (5-9, 185; SR, Miami, Fla.) appeared in 88 games during his four-year Hornet career, capped off by receiving his Bachelor's degree in business management last month. He posted a 5-7 record and a 3.97 ERA with 14 saves during his career, with 111 innings pitched and 125 strikeouts. This season, Ruiz was the closer, appearing in 24 games with a 1-1 record with a 3.63 ERA and a career-high seven saves.
 
"It's a dream come true," Ruiz said. "I still can't believe it, but it'll sink in. Now I am focused on working harder, competing and becoming the best I can be to one day play on the big stage."
 
Pantoja (6-6, 220; JR, Lehigh Acres, Fla.) appeared in 52 games primarily as a middle reliever. Pantoja struck out 54 batters in 56.1 IP during his three-year career.  
 
"I feel so blessed right now to get an opportunity like this to play pro ball," Pantoja said. "I would not have been able to do this if it weren't for the help of my parents and coaches who supported me the whole way, as well as my teammates who always believed in me. I'm just excited to see what this new opportunity has to offer."
 
The duo is a part of the winningest era of Alabama State baseball, posting three-straight 30-win seasons, winning back-to-back SWAC Eastern Division titles and the 2015 Black College National Championship.
 
"I'm extremely excited for Armando and Jorge," Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez said. "They have worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity. I wish them great success in professional baseball and hope they reach their dreams of playing in the major leagues."