Ysleta's Justin Maese taken in third round of Major League Baseball Draft

Ysleta's Justin Maese taken in third round of Major League Baseball Draft

Ysleta's Justin Maese pitches against Riverside at the Indians' home field.
(Rudy Gutierrez—El Paso Times)

Right-handed pitcher Justin Maese was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the third round of the Major League Baseball Draft this morning.

The 6-foot-3 Ysleta High School standout was the 91st overall pick in the draft, which started Monday and ends Wednesday.

Maese, who has signed with Texas Tech if he doesn't reach a deal with the Blue Jays, had 156 strikeouts as a junior and 81 strikeouts this past season. He was named to the Louisville Slugger High School All America First team as a junior.

Several scouts attended Maese's games this past season and his fastball has been clocked as high as 96 mph.

Felix Chávez may be reached at 546-6167.

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