Former South Forsyth standout Jake Drehoff got his 2014 minor league season off to a good start on Sunday.

The left-handed pitcher was impressive in his season debut for the Lowell Spinners, the Class A short season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Drehoff allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits in five strong innings while striking out six and walking none.

Unfortunately, Drehoff didn’t factor into the decision. He left after the fifth inning with the game tied 2-2. Two Spinners relievers combined to give up four runs on five hits and seven walks over the final four innings in Lowell’s 6-4 loss.

Drehoff was a late-bloomer out of South Forsyth whose passion growing up was basketball. He only had 2/3 innings of varsity experience going into his senior season, but he showed enough promise to get the attention of Southern Mississippi where he redshirted one season and started his next two.

Last summer, Drehoff was drafted by the Red Sox in the 11th round, No. 354 overall, in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He signed a $175,000 signing bonus, according to Baseball America, and set off for a professional baseball career. In five starts for GCL Red Sox, Drehoff went 0-2 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings.