JONESBORO, Ark. (6/6/12) — Arkansas State senior Brandon Farley was taken Tuesday in the 33^rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants, making him the third ASU player this week to be drafted.  Farley was the 1,018^th overall pick in the draft, while ASU signee Adam Grantham was taken in the 32^nd round by the Atlanta Braves.

Farley (Cookeville, Tenn.) made 29 relief appearances for the Red Wolves during the 2012 season, earning one save while posting a 2-4 record and an ERA of 5.30.  He was instrumental in the Red Wolves’ 34-23 record and their run to the championship game of the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament. 

“Brandon played a key role in our success this season,” said ASU head coach Tommy Raffo.  “He was solid as a reliever in the late innings throughout the season and was instrumental in helping us preserve the lead in numerous games.  He is certainly deserving of being drafted and we wish him continued success as he continues his career with the Giants.”

Farley averaged over a strikeout an inning during his two-year career at ASU, fanning 62 batters in 59.1 innings of work.  He notched a rare four-strikeout inning Feb. 22 in the Red Wolves 11-3 victory over Murray State and finished his senior season with 40 strikeouts in 37.1 innings on the mound.  His 40 strikeouts ranked fourth overall on the team in 2012, and first among relief pitchers.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to play professionally,” said Farley.  “It is a goal I have worked towards for a long time and I am happy that the Giants had the confidence to draft me.  In working towards this goal, I received a lot of help and support from my family, Coach Raffo and (pitching) Coach Tighe Dickinson at ASU, Coach Butch Chaffin at Cookeville High School and Coach Kent Farris at Northeast Mississippi, and I am thankful for all that they have done.”

Grantham, a 6-1 right-handed pitcher who prepped at Kennett, Mo. High School, was the 989^th overall pick in the draft.