Former South Dakota State University baseball player Layne Somsen became the third former Jackrabbit to reach the Major Leagues, earning a promotion from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
A right-handed pitcher, Somsen was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft and had made 81 appearances over parts of four seasons in the Reds organization, compiling a 9-5 record with a 2.49 earned run average. He also earned four saves while striking out 175 batters in 173.1 career innings pitched. At Triple-A Louisville (Ky.) so far this season, Somsen made five appearances with a 1.04 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings.
A Yankton native, Somsen pitched at SDSU from 2009-13 and ranks fifth in Jackrabbit history for career innings pitched (215.0), strikeouts (180) and games started (38). He was named Summit League Pitcher of the Year in 2013 as he led the league with 91 strikeouts and a 1.87 ERA in helping lead the Jackrabbits to their lone appearance in the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.
Somsen is the third former Jackrabbit player to reach the big leagues, joining fellow pitchers Caleb Thielbar and Blake Treinen. Thielbar pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 2013-15, while Treinen has been a member of the Washington Nationals since 2014.
