Class of 2007 one of best in Rice’s history
Successful college baseball programs constantly risk losing key talent to the big leagues, and Rice is no exception. 14 Rice baseball players were selected in Major League Baseball’s Rule IV Amateur Draft June 8 and 10 of those signed contracts and began their professional baseball careers after the conclusion of the College World Series.
Joe Savery, a fixture on the mound, at first base and at the plate for the Owls for the past three seasons, was selected 19th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies and agreed to a $1.4 million signing bonus with the team. Savery posted a 2.73 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 26.1 innings for the Williamsport Crosscutters, one of the Phillies’ Low A-ball organizations, in his first season.
Not far behind Savery, shortstop Brian Friday was selected 98th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit .295 with a .371 on-base percentage in 40 games for the State College Spikes of the NY-Penn League.
Centerfielder Tyler Henley and catcher Danny Lehmann were each drafted in the eighth round, Henley by the St. Louis Cardinals and Lehmann by the Minnesota Twins. Reliever Bobby Bramhall was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round, and C-USA Pitcher of the Year Ryne Tacker (Baker ‘06) went to the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round.
A few noticeable Owls were drafted last June but decided to return to campus, hoping to raise their stock for potential major league suitors as they help lead Rice through the 2008 season. Closer Cole St. Clair, who battled arm injuries last season that limited him to 28.1 innings, turned down an offer from the Cleveland Indians as the team’s seventh-round pick. Catcher Adam Zornes, selected in the 24th round, also turned down an offer from the Indians.
Reliever Jon Runnels, who was drafted in the 29th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, dominated this fall and looks to fill Bramhall’s shoes as a dominant lefty reliever. Rounding out the returning draftees will be starter Chris Kelley, who was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 34th round.
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