There were a number of Missouri college and high school connections in day one of the MLB Draft. No other school in the state had more players drafted than Central Missouri St., which had five of the pitchers on this year’s team taken.
Reliever Nick Webber was taken by the Cardinals in the second round, making him the highest pick in CMSU history. Webber set the school and MIAA Conference record with 19 saves in 2005. Mules starter Danny Powers, who was named the NCAA Division II Player and Pitcher of the Year, went to the Twins in the eighth round.
Mule teammates Jason Schutt (Indians, 10th round), Josh Outman (Phillies, 10th round) and Mike Phelps (Cubs, 11th round) were also taken. Powers is the only senior of the group. Webber, Schutt and Outman are juniors and Phelps is a sophomore.
Three Missouri Tigers were taken on Tuesday. Outfielder James Boone, who hit .340 with 72 RBI’s in 2005, was picked up by the Pirates in the third round. Right handed pitcher Andrew Johnston was a ninth round selection of the Rockies and right handed pitcher Doug Mathis was taken by the Rangers in the 13th round. All three players are juniors.
There were three players taken with both Missouri and major league baseball ties. John Mayberry Jr., who went to Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, was taken by the Rangers in the first round by the Rangers. He just finished his junior season at Stanford. His dad is former Royals slugger John Mayberry.
Wilfrido Pujols, who just graduated from Fort Osage High School in Independence, was taken by the Cardinals in the sixth round. His first cousin is Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.
Scott Van Slyke, the son of former Cardinals outfielder Andy Van Slyke, was taken by the Dodgers in the 14th round by the Dodgers. Van Slyke, who just finished his senior year at Burroughs High School in the St. Louis area, has also signed a letter of intent with Ole Miss. He may forgo the pros for now, if he the signing bonus isn’t big enough.
Also taken was Missouri Valley College left-handed pitcher Michael Gallaway, who went to the Orioles in the 11th round. Aaron Shafer of Troy Buchanan High School of Troy, Missouri, was taken by the Indians in the 16th round. He’s already signed with Wichita St. Like Van Slyke, he may still go to college.
Sam LeCure, who graduated from Helias High School in Jefferson City, was taken in the fourth round by the Reds. LeCure was expected to be the ace of the University of Texas pitching staff this year, but was academically ineligible.
