NEW YORK – San Jose State University junior right-handed pitcher Zack Jones was drafted Tuesday by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Players Draft.

Jones was taken with the 130th overall pick in the fourth round. He is the 11th Spartan to be taken in the first 10 rounds, and the second in as many years. Left-handed pitcher Roberto Padilla was taken in the eighth round of last year’s draft by the Colorado Rockies.

“I’m kind of speechless. It’s a dream come true,” said Jones about being drafted Tuesday. “It was a little bit of a surprise. I was told rounds four through seven. I was on the phone with the Nationals as I got drafted by the Twins.”

Jones was at home Tuesday watching the live stream of the draft online with close family and friends when he heard the news.

"I'm thrilled he went in the fourth round," said San Jose State baseball coach Sam Piraro. "I’m very excited about that. I think it's well-deserved. San Jose State baseball is very proud of him."

Jones finished the 2012 season with the Spartans as the team leader in strikeouts with 60. He had a 3.5-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio and averaged 10.00 strikeouts per nine innings during his 19 appearances on the mound. Jones also led the Spartans with seven saves and pushed his school-record career total to 22. He was named the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year and was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association "Stopper of the Year" Preseason Watch List.

“I think it’s going to be pretty similar to the Cape Cod League. Everyone is going to be pretty good obviously,” said Jones of his expectations for the next level. “My progress is based off my work ethic. I’m extremely motivated and extremely anxious to get better.”

The MLB First-Year Players Draft continues through June 6.

Spartans Drafted in the Top-10 Rounds

Matt Durkin               2004       New York Mets (2nd round)

Mark Langston 1981       Seattle Mariners (2nd round)

Ken Caminiti 1984       Houston Astros (3rd round)

Kyle Bellows 2009       Cleveland Indians (4th round)

Zack Jones        2012       Minnesota Twins (4th round)

Anthony Telford        1987       Baltimore Orioles (4th round)

Vince LaCorte 1999       Anaheim Angeles (5th round)

Adam Shorsher 2002       San Diego Padres (6th round)

Roberto Padilla 2011       Colorado Rockies (8th round)

Anthony Contreras 2005       San Francisco Giants (9th round)

Junior Ruiz        2001       Cincinnati Reds (9th round)