June 7, 2005
Billek Draft Bio in PDF Format
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NEW YORK, N.Y. - UCF junior right-handed pitcher Mike Billek was selected by the Chicago Cubs in third round of the 2005 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday. Billek was the 108th selection of the draft after going 4-3 with a 4.07 ERA in 2005 for the Golden Knights.
"I am pretty excited," commented Billek. "I would only consider leaving UCF if I was selected in the top five rounds and the Cubs met my expectations. I played with some of the Cubs minor leaguers in high school and I am just excited to be drafted in the top five rounds."
Undrafted out of high school, Billek is the fifth player for UCF head coach Jay Bergman to be selected in the top five rounds of the draft since 2001. Pitching coach and recruiting coordinator Craig Cozart has had 21 pitchers drafted during his tenure at UCF, including six top-five round selections.
"This is another example of the excellent developmental program Craig Cozart has installed with our pitchers," stated Bergman. "This is an exciting day for Mike and his family."
Billek is the first Golden Knight drafted by the Cubs since Brad King was taken in the 19th round of the 1996 draft.
A hard-throwing right-hander, Billek touched 95 MPH at UCF's fall scout day and earned time both as a starter and reliever in 2005. In 90.2 innings of work, Billek totaled 84 strikeouts and 33 walks.
For his career, Billek is 6-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 143.1 innings of work. He has 133 strikeouts and opponents are batting .276 vs. Billek.