Former Kentucky All-SEC starting pitcher Alex Meyer was traded from the Washington Nationals to the Minnesota Twins for centerfielder Denard Span.

A native of Greensburg, Ind., Meyer had a great season in his first full professional season, earning a spot on the USA team in the MLB Futures Game. A former first-round pick by the Nationals in the 2011 MLB Draft and the No. 50 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, Meyer made a combined 25 starts between two class-A levels in 2012.

“It caught me off guard, but I’m really excited about it,” Meyer told MLB.com after the trade. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for me. I’m thankful for what the Nationals helped me out with. I’m looking forward to getting ready for Spring Training with the Twins.”

A 6-foot-9, 220-pound righty, Meyer went 10-6 with a 2.86 ERA in 2012, tossing 129 innings, allowing 97 hits and 45 walks, striking out 139. He made 18 starts for the Hagerstown Suns in the South Atlantic League, posting a 7-4 record and a 3.10 ERA, with 107 strikeouts in 90 innings. After a promotion to the Carolina League, Meyer went 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in seven starts, striking out 32 and walking 11 in 39 innings.

“He's got four pitches with velocity and size, and he throws it over,” Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan told MLB.com. “So I'll let him dictate where he's going to end up in which spot in the rotation and all that. But he certainly has the capability of providing some quality innings.”