Mariners Draft Tinley Park Native in 19th Round of MLB Draft

Jeff Zimmerman, an Andrew High School graduate and a junior at Northern Illinois University, was picked up by the Seattle Mariners in the 19th round of 2013 Major League Baseball draft Saturday, according to NIU's website.

Overall, the Tinley Park native was the 567th pick in the draft, and the first NIU junior to be drafted since 2008, the website stated.

READ: Zimmerman Makes Seamless Transition From High School to College Baseball

Zimmerman plays first base for the Huskies, and this year, he led the team offensively with a .321 batting average, 70 hits (17 doubles, three triples) and 30 RBI, according to NIU.

Zimmerman will now decide whether to return to school for his senior year or join the Mariners organization. He is majoring in business at NIU.

Here's a look at some of the highlights of his baseball career from high school through college.

Andrew High School

• Twice named to the South West Suburban all-conference first team
• Earned an all-state selection
• Two-time varsity letterman
• Named captain in his senior season
• As a senior, batted .424, with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, nine doubles, 32 walks and a slugging percentage of .838

• Named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and was a second team National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-America selection in 2011
• Named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and first team All-MAC in 2011
• Second team All-Mideast region by American Baseball Coaches Association presented by Rawlings in 2011