Topic: Pat Neshek

Patrick J. Neshek (born September 4, 1980 in Madison, Wisconsin) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. Neshek is a graduate of Park Center Senior High School in Minnesota and of Butler University.

At Park Center High School, he was named to the All-State team. At Butler University, Neshek was a three year letter winner and holds school records for strikeouts in a single-game (18 vs. Detroit, April 15, 2001), strikeouts in a single-season (118, 2001) and career (280) strikeout records. During the 2005 season, Neshek led all minor league Twins players in saves.

Neshek was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 45th round (1337th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, but Neshek didn't sign and went onto Butler. Neshek was later drafted in the sixth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft as the 182nd overall pick. He signed with the Twins that year and was assigned to the Twins Rookie level team. Neshek spent four years in the minor leagues, pitching 293.1 innings in 206 games. In those 293.1 innings, Neshek accumulated 367 strikeouts, a 16-12 record and an ERA of just 2.18.