Special Coverage

Klein's Matt Purke Drafted by Texas Rangers

Within two hours after his first round selection in the Major League Baseball draft, Klein Bearkat pitcher Matt Purke was already getting a taste of the Big Leagues – albeit as a spectator at the Chicago Cubs v. Houston Astros game. But it's the Texas Rangers who are first and foremost on the mind of Purke after the team made him the 14th overall selection in the 2009 draft.

"It's a great day, and it's a great feeling," Purke said. "It's all nervousness and excitement all wrapped into one. It was the best feeling in the world."

Getting drafted by a major league team has been a dream of Purke's since he was a kid and now he joins a franchise on the rise under the direction of Team President and baseball legend Nolan Ryan.

"It's a great organization," Purke said. "They're up and coming and doing well. It's a pretty good feeling to say Nolan Ryan is your boss."

Purke was one of the nation's top pitching prospects this past season. The 6'3" southpaw struck out 91 batters in just 47 innings. His fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s and now he's set to begin the next chapter in his baseball career.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was a little tyke and now it's finally come true," Purke said. "It's great that they're in Texas so I can stay home. I love Texas, and I don't want to leave it."