Justin Parr Drafted By The Philadelphia Phillies

Last weekend Justin Parr played his final game for the University of Illinois, and it appears that his next baseball game will be as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Parr was drafted in the eighth round, 241st overall, by the Phillies on Friday. It's the earliest an Illini baseball player has been drafted since Brandon Wikoff was taken in the fifth round by the Houston Astros in 2009. Parr is also the third Illini baseball player to be drafted by the Phillies, as they took Bret Weber in 1997 and Dan O'Neill in 1999.

"I am extremely excited to continue my career and be able to keep playing," Parr said in a release. "I am proud to call myself an Illini and thankful for everyone who has helped me reach this dream. I am really happy to be a part of the Phillies organization and hope to start playing soon.

"I tried to go about a normal day and not put too much pressure on myself. I was really humbled and just happy to get an opportunity to play. All the glory goes to God. I am glad it's done for me, and now I am just looking to see where Jordan will go."

Parr hit .398 with 6 home runs, 53 RBI and 16 stolen bases for the Illini this season en route to being named the Big Ten's Player of the Year.

Hopefully it won't be long until we see Justin playing in the Majors. Good luck, Justin, and thanks for all you did for Illini baseball.

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