MASON CITY – NIACC baseball recruit Dan Pellinen was drafted in the 40th round of the MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.
Pellinen, who signed with NIACC in February, hit .553 with 25 stolen bases during his senior season at North Woods High School in Wisconsin.
As a junior, Pellinen, who is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, hit .413 with six doubles and 13 RBIs.
“Dan came to my attention at several showcase events last summer,” NIACC coach Travis Hergert said. “He shows a lot of tools with a physical build and good speed.
“Dan can play both infield and outfield and we project him to hit in the middle of the lineup.”
Hergert, whose team recently placed fifth at the NJCAA Division II World Series, said Pellinen, who bats and throws right-handed, plans to report to NIACC in the fall.
“He is a baseball rat,” the coach said, “so coming in and working hard will not be an issue. The sky is the limit for Dan.”
The last time a NIACC player was drafted was in 2007 when right-handed pitcher Steve Salas was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 22nd round in 2007.
NIACC recently signed right-handed pitcher Brandon Platts of Mason City, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 13th round of the 2011 draft.
