Nashville, TN – Former Waterloo Bucks pitcher Tom Boleska was selected today by the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball’s 2012 Rule 5 Draft. Boleska, who played with Waterloo in 2007, was selected by the Orioles in the Triple-A Phase of the draft.

Boleska had been in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization since he was drafted by the Bucs in the 35th round in 2007. This past season, Boleska played with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the American Association, an independent league, appearing in 46 games and finishing the year with a 2-1 record and 58 strikeouts with a 1.76 ERA. The Burlington, Ontario native last played affiliated ball in 2011 with the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve. Boleska finished that season with a 5.40 ERA and a 1-1 record in 12 games.

A product of High Point University, Boleska appeared in 21 games for the Bucks in 2007, finishing with a 1-1 record and a 1.95 ERA. Boleska collected eight saves on the season, striking out 42 while walking just 14. The right-handed hurler ranks ninth on Waterloo’s career saves list and 10th on the team’s single-season saves list.

The Rule-5 Draft is an annual event held by MLB that allows teams an opportunity to select other team’s minor league players who haven’t been added to the 40-man roster within a specific time frame since being signed. The draft has three phases: MLB, Triple-A, and Double-A.

The 2013 Northwoods League schedule is expected to be released in December. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.