Dave Bush Drafted in Second Round by Toronto
6/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 4, 2002
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest pitcher Dave Bush was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round of the Major League Baseball first year player draft on Tuesday. The 13th pick of the second round (55th overall), Bush was the Blue Jays' second overall pick.
"Obviously I'm very excited," Bush said. "It's a great opportunity for me with a great organization that will give me a chance to move up quickly."
"I'm thrilled for David and his family," Wake Forest head coach George Greer said. "His draft position was elevated, and that is certainly great. Coming back to school was the right decision for him. The Blue Jays are getting a terrific young man and a terrific pitcher."
Bush, a two-time All-American for the Demon Deacons, finished his four-year career as Wake Forest's all-time leader in saves (38) and the ACC's all-time leader in appearances (142). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the fourth round last season but opted to return for his senior season.
"It worked out as well as it possibly could. I am closer to graduating, had a good year in school and in baseball and improved my draft position," Bush said. "So I'm as happy as can be."
Bush, a senior relief pitcher from Devon, Pa., becomes Wake Forest's highest draft pick since Mike MacDougal went to the Royals in the first round of the 1999 draft.
Bush finished his senior season with an NCAA-leading 40 appearances, an 8-1 record with 1.64 ERA with 13 saves. He struck out 61 battes in 60.1 innings. His value to the Deacons could not be overestimated as the team was 73-0 over the last two seasons when leading after seven innings.
Bush leaves Wake Forest as one of the most decorated players in school history having earned All-America honors as a junior and a senior, a Smith Award semifinalist, a Dick Howser Award semifinalist and was called the best closer in college baseball by several national publications including Baseball America. He was featured in Sports Illustrated, Baseball America, Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and the Winston-Salem Journal.
After recovering from a life-threatening blood clot during the winter before his senior season, Bush led the Deacons to 47 wins, tying the school record and an unprecenteded fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.