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Tyler Jay earns promotion to Twins AA squad

Former first-round pick and Illini alum climbs the ladder in the Minnesota Twins organization

Lookout world, here comes Miracle man Tyler Jay. As in, Tyler Jay will become a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts as he progresses up the Minnesota Twins minor league ladder from the Class A Ft. Myers Miracle to AA ball.

Jay was the highest-ever MLB draft selection from Illinois, going at No. 6 in the 2015 draft after a killer campaign his junior year out of the Illini bullpen. He signed a deal for $3.8 million. He's had to transition to a starter's role in the minor leagues, and his first 13 starts for the Miracle netted him a 5-5 record with a 2.84 ERA, good enough for a spot in the Florida State League All-Star Game.

"It's been going pretty well," the left handed pitcher told WCIA's Craig Choate.  "If you make a mistake, like if you have a bad start -- I think my second or third start was pretty rough -- having to wait that seven, six days to get back out there was a little bit difficult for me because when you're in the pen and you have a bad outing, you're back out there two days after that.  You get to refresh your memory and stuff."

Jay, who MLBpipeline.com has ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Twins organization, will look to continue his success as the competition level increases in the AA ranks. Hopefully Jay continues to adjust and rise through the system to join Tanner Roark and other current prospects as Illini alums in the majors.

Also the Twins have some pretty kickass minor league team names. So that's fun.