June 7, 2005

Siena College junior left hander John Lannan was drafted by the Washington Nationals today in the 11th round of Major League Baseball's First Year Player's Draft. Lannan established a school record for victories in a season in 2005, posting a 10-2 record and a 2.29 ERA.

Lannan was a Second Team All-MAAC selection this season after posting a perfect 8-0 record in MAAC play and a 1.88 conference ERA. He pitched a nine-inning shutout in the Saints 5-0 MAAC Tournament opening victory over Manhattan May 26.

Lannan becomes the fifth Siena player drafted in the last four years, joining Ryan Bitter who was picked last season by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Jim Buckley and Dave Pahucki were each picked in the 2002 draft by the Boston Red Sox as was Justin Knoff who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the same year. Lannan is the 20th player in program history to be drafted and could be the 35th to go onto play professional baseball.