by John Vittas

The Minnesota Twins selected Maryland LHP Alex Robinson in the 5th Round of the 2015 MLB Draft Tuesday. He could join former teammate Blake Schmit in the Minnesota system.

“The opportunity to play professional baseball is a blessing,” Robinson said Tuesday. “This is one of those milestones. The work has only just begun and I am very excited to get started. I want to thank everyone at the University of Maryland including my teammates, coaches and support staff.”

The Long Island native struck out 32 batters in 27.2 innings of work out of the Terrapins bullpen in 2015. He posted an ERA of 1.63, holding opponents to a .136 average.

Robinson is one of the hardest throwers in the Big Ten, having touched 97mph with his fastball. He’s found a home in the bullpen this year, where his plus fastball and slider play up.

“Robinson gets down the mound quickly with a deceptive three-quarters arm angle and effort in his delivery,” Jon Lewis said in MBN’s Maryland Draft Preview. “He maintains his velocity well throughout outings and on back-to-back appearances. He is a finished product in terms of stuff with an improvement to his command needed.”

VIEW ROBINSON’S FULL DRAFT PROFILE

The New York southpaw had never been selected until this year.

Robinson was selected 140th overall. The slot value for that pick is $387,700. He will have to make a deal with the Twins by July 17, or he would return to College Park in the fall.

Listen to John Vittas and Jon Lewis discuss Robinson as a prospect: