The St. Louis Cardinals selected Arkansas third basemen Zack Cox with the 25th overall pick in Major League Baseball’s first day of the draft on Monday. The Cards also had two compensation picks and wrapped up the first night of the draft by selecting Seth Blair, a right-handed pitcher from Arizona State, and Tyrell Jenkins out of Henderson High School in Henderson, Texas.
Last night Cox help the Razorbacks advance to Super Regionals of the D-I baseball championship. Cox finished the night with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. His double in the second inning was his 97th hit of the season, tying the Arkansas single-season record. Cox is expected to climb through the minor league system quickly. Vice President of Scouting Jeff Luhnow talks about Cox. He explains why they project him a third base and why he was picked after the Cardinals already have prospect Brett Wallace in the system at third and how the two compare.
Cox has the composure and the right attitude to be a successful ball player. Cox talked about coming into the Cardinals systems and about a minor rib injury that doesn’t seem to be slowing him down at all.
The 21-year-old Blair was a perfect 11-0 in 15 starts this season, with a 3.20 ERA (32 ER/90.0 IP). He
struck out 90 batters and walked 22, winning Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year. ASU defeated Hawaii to advance to the Super Regionals will face if Arkansas wins and the Cardinals first pick Cox.
Jenkins, was a top quarterback recruit for Baylor University, lettered in basketball and ran a 49 second quarter mile in a relay race this spring. He led his high
school to their second-straight District 14 4A Championship as the team finished the season 24-7.
