Pick No. 75 - Scott Bittle

With their 2nd round selection in the first day of drafting, the Yankees continued to stock pitching. Scott Bittle, a 6'1", 190 lb right-hander from 'Ole Miss was the choice.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Bittle became one of the nation's elite relievers this season. He struck out 130 batters in just 70 2/3 innings, finishing with a 7-1 record and eight saves.

From OleMiss.edu:

Bittle took the Southeastern Conference by storm this season, leading the league in strikeouts with 118 in the season and finished with 130 following the NCAA Regional in Miami. The 130 strikeouts is third on the single season list. Bittle posted a 7-1 record and picked up eight saves on the year, putting him seventh on the single season saves list. His 15 saves for his career is third all-time.

Bittle was named an All-SEC second team selection as a reliever this year and was named as a finalist for the Stopper of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by the New York Yankees,” Bittle said. “I grew up watching them and love the style of play and the tradition of being a Yankee. It’s a really great time for me and want to thank the Yankees for selecting me. I also want to thank Coach Bianco and the Ole Miss baseball family for giving me the opportunity to take this step.”

2007: Made 28 appearances on the season, including 25 relief appearances and three starts ... Posted a 2-5 record on the year with seven saves ... His seven saves tied for second most in the Southeastern Conference on the year ... His 25 appearances was fifth in the SEC ... His 18 games finished was fifth in the SEC ... Struck out 59 and walked only 17 in 42.0 IP while turning in an ERA of 2.79 ... Picked up the win in his first start against Murray State (4/24) ... The performance against Murray State was his most dominant as he stuck out five and walked none with only one hit in 3.0 IP ... Posted saves against No. 21 Evansville (2/18), Memphis (2/20), Belmont (2/27), No. 5 Arkansas (3/2), Austin Peay (3/6), No. 23 UCLA (3/11) and South Alabama (3/20) ... Pitched a season long 7.0 innings in a start against No. 1 Vanderbilt in the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament ... NCAA POSTSEASON: Drew the start in the NCAA Oxford Regional Championship Game against Sam Houston State ...

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Lettered two years at Northeast Texas Community College under head coach Chris Smith ... Named an All-Conference selection ... Selected to participate in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game ... Posted a 6-4 record in 11 appearances with a 4.24 ERA in 2005 ... Posted 67 strikeouts and walked only 23 in 58.0 IP ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Texas High School under head coach Glenn Welch ... Selected to the All-District Team ... Posted a 5-3 record with two saves in 12 appearances ... Struck out 77 and walked 43 in 55 innings of work with a 2.08 ERA as a senior in 2004 ...

MISCELLANEOUS: Son of Joe and Nancy Bittle ... Born: August 27, 1986 ... Has one sister, Stacy (22) ... Graduated Cum Laude from Texas High ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Played summer league ball for the Mineral Wells Steam and was selected to play in the Texas Collegiate League All-Star Game ... Major is Psychology.