June 12, 2009
(release courtesy of Kerry Kahl, Cornell College sports information)

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . Cornell College senior-to-be Chris Handke (Bellevue, Iowa/Bellevue) was selected Thursday by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Handke, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound pitcher, was taken with the 1,237th overall pick. The rangy right-hander discovered his fate on the internet shortly after noon, although the news didn’t come as a complete surprise.

“I had talked with the Dodgers before the draft,” Handke said. “I thought there was a decent chance they would take me, but you never know how things will work out. I’ve been helping a professor on campus. I checked online after lunch and that’s when I found out. The Dodgers called (Thursday) night around 10. It’s definitely exciting.”

Handke, the only Iowa Conference player drafted, drew attention from scouts last month at the Perfect Game USA showcase event in Cedar Rapids. His fastball topped out at 93 miles per hour. Handke said he started to get phone calls two or three days after the showcase.

Handke pitched in a limited role with the Rams this past spring. He appeared in six games and went 0-1 with a 15.19 earned run average. Handke walked 12 and struck out eight in 10.2 innings.

In three seasons at Cornell, Handke has made 17 appearances on the mound, including two starts. He has a career 10.12 ERA with 25 walks and 11 strikeouts in 21.1 innings.

Handke is most known by Cornell fans for his exploits on the basketball court. A second team all-IIAC center, Handke helped lead the 2008-09 Rams to the conference tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. He averaged 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds and set a single-season school record with 45 blocks.

“I enjoy both sports,” Handke said. “I’ve always had people tell me that because of my height and I can throw the ball hard at times that I had a lot of upside and potential in baseball. It’s something I’m obviously interested in doing.”

Handke said he has until the middle of August to negotiate a contract with the Dodgers, but he plans to return to Cornell for his senior year.

“I told the Dodgers that I want to finish my degree at Cornell and complete my basketball career.” said Handke, who carries a 3.9 grade point average with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Handke, a 2006 graduate of Bellevue High School, is the son of James and Louan Handke, Bellevue.

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