The Barometer Online

Issue date: 6/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed Junior pitcher Jorge Reyes is rated the No. 1 prospect in the state of Oregon by Baseball America.

While it seems rather obvious that the first pick during the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 9 will be flamethrower Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State, the rest of the draft is as unpredictable as any other sports draft.

With a draft that lasts over 1,000 picks, the MLB Draft will allow major league teams a chance to snag players from the high school and collegiate levels across the United States and Canada.

After making the trek to Fort Worth for regional action, Oregon State hopes to take a minimal hit from the draft. According to Baseball America, junior pitcher Jorge Reyes is ranked as the top prospect in the state and No. 167 in the nation.

Reyes had an up-and-down 2009 season, but still managed a 6-2 record, team-high 75 strikeouts and a 4.20 ERA.

The second highest ranked Beaver is draft-eligible sophomore pitcher Kraig Sitton. Baseball America lists Sitton as the most intriguing OSU prospect. The publication is curious of what time in a professional weight room could do for the 6-foot-5-inch and 190 pound lefty.

Junior catcher Ryan Ortiz is the No. 4 prospect in the state, while draft eligible sophomore Greg Peavey and junior Joey Wong are No. 8 and No. 9, respectively.

Ortiz finished the 2009 season as the team leader in hitting with a .352 average, five home runs and 45 RBI. Ortiz was honored by the Pac-10 as a First Team All-Pac-10 selection.

Peavey struggled to a 5.74 ERA and 4-3 record, while Wong was a key part of the OSU defense and hit .255 on the year.

After coming back to Oregon State after being drafted by the New York Mets last season, senior pitcher Mark Grbavac is the No. 12 prospect in the state this season.

Grbavac and his big curveball made 19 appearances and finished with a 3.86 ERA.

During the past couple of seasons, Oregon State has been hit by the draft as teams swooped in and took recruits from the Beavers. Thanks to the draft, OSU missed out on pitchers B.J. Hermsen and Tim Alderson. Alderson is currently 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA as part of the Double-A Eastern League's Connecticut Defenders' starting rotation.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools