Twenty-two players were selected in the 2010 MLB draft from Division III schools.
Dave Filak, RHP, Oneonta State
Atlanta Braves, 4th round, No. 134 overall
Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 220
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Burnt Hills , N.Y.
Dave Filak, a 2010 and 2009 D3baseball.com All-American was the first D-III selection in the 2010 major league draft and the first Oneonta State player to be drafted since the Houston Astros picked left-handed pitcher Chris Salamida in the 13th round of the 2006 draft.
Filak went 8-1 for Oneonta State this past season, helping the Red Dragons earn a playoff bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in school history. Filak's lone loss of the year came in the tournament, a 9-5 setback to Farmingdale State. He also beat national runner-up Cortland twice this season, 4-1 during the regular season and 7-1 during the SUNYAC Tournament. Filak threw nine-inning complete games both times.
In his three seasons at Oneonta State, Filak finished 18-5 with a 2.63 ERA. He struck out 250 in 160 2/3 innings, an average of 14 strikeouts per nine innings.
Filak will skip his senior year at Oneonta State to start his professional career. "I'm definitely looking to sign," said Filak, a Burnt Hills graduate. "I'm not messing around. I'm a small-town kid. I'm fortunate to have this opportunity."
Mike Giovenco, RHP, North Park
Kansas City Royals, 14th round, No. 419 overall
Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 235
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: River Grove, Ill.
North Park pitcher Mike Giovenco was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 14th round of the 2010 major league draft, the second straighr year he was drafted. Giovenco was selected in the 26th round of the 2009 MLB draft, but decided to return to school for his junior season.
"Everybody in our program is extremely happy for Mike and his family. He’s one of the hardest workers that I’ve had the pleasure of being around as a player or a coach," fifth-year head coach Luke Johnson said. "Mike has been a big part of a nucleus of guys who have continued to elevate the level of success and reputation of our program. Being a 26th round draft pick last year put a big target on his back and every game he threw was a big game. His ability to grow as a player given the circumstances is a real testament to how far he’s come, as well as what we do as a program."
After returning to North Park for his junior year, Giovenco broke his own single season strikeout record, fanning 101 batters, 14 better than his mark of 87 in the 2009 season. He was ranked sixth in the NCAA in strikeouts, 17th in strikeouts per nine innings with a 10.9 average, and 17th in hits allowed per nine innings with 6.64.
Andrew Pevsner, LHP, Johns Hopkins
Los Angeles Dodgers, 16th round, No. 502 overall
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 215
Bats: Left. Throws: Left
Hometown: Calabasas, Calif.
Andrew Pevsner a left-handed relief specialist for Johns Hopkins, was selected in the 16th round of the 2010 major league draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pevsner is the seventh all-time Johns Hopkins player to be selected in MLB draft and the first since Rob Sanzillo in 2007 (46th roundby the St. Louis Cardinals). Pevsner’s selection in the 16th round also marks the highest a Johns Hopkins player has ever been selected.
Pevsner set a school record with 20 relief appearances during the 2010 season. He posted a 3-0 record with a 4.17 ERA and the opposition hit just .209 against him. He averaged better than a strikeout per inning pitched as he recorded 42 strikeouts against just 18 walks in 36.2 innings.
Pevsner helped guide Johns Hopkins to one of the finest seasons in school history as the Blue Jays posted a 44-7 record, won the Centennial Conference and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional titles and advanced to the D-III Championship for the second time in three years. The Blue Jays ended the season ranked fourth in the nation.
Derek Eitel, RHP, Rose-Hulman
Arizona Diamondbacks, 17th round, No. 511 overall
Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 205
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Marshall, Ill.
Four-year varsity letter winner Derek Eitel set Rose-Hulman athletic history after being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 17th round of the major league draft. Eitel became the first Rose-Hulman student-athlete in school history selected in a professional sports draft.
His school records include career marks for innings pitched (320.1) and wins (29). Eitel ranks second in school history with 299 career strikeouts and ranked third in school history with 92 strikeouts this spring.
Eitel helped Rose-Hulman reach the NCAA Division III Mideast Baseball Regional in 2008, 2009 and 2010, including HCAC tournament titles in 2009 and 2010. In his NCAA Division III Tournament career, Eitel finished 2-0 with a 1.11 earned run average and 26 strikeouts in 24 innings of work. He also served as the starting pitcher in all three NCAA tournament victories in Rose-Hulman baseball history.
This season, Eitel finished 6-2 overall with a 3.74 earned run average in 77 innings of work with 92 strikeouts. His efforts included three complete games, two shutouts and one save.
Logan Chitwood, RHP, Texas-Tyler
Oakland Athletics, 19th round, No. 575 overall
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Kilgore, Texas
Chitwood was selected on the second day of the major league draft by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round. He was one of just 22 players from NCAA Division III selected this season. Chitwood was the fifth-highest selection.
"It's an incredible feeling that I've waited all my life for," Chitwood said. "Just to hear my name called is an awesome feeling. I’m going to fight for a position and work my hardest and do whatever I can to help the organization."
Chitwood went 5-2 with a 3.12 ERA and six saves to lead the Patriots to ASC and East Division titles. He logged 34 2/3 innings over 23 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 53 batters and walking just eight. He was an all-conference selection and once named ASC East Division Pitcher of the Week.
Gary Mitchell, 1B, Neumann
Los Angeles Angels, 21st round, No. 654 overall
Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 225
Bats: Left. Throws: Right
Hometown: Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Neumann's Gary Mitchell was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 21st round of the major league draft. He was the 654th pick overall and is believed to be the first baseball player for Neumann to be drafted.
Mitchell was recently named to ECAC Division III South Region second team and the American Baseball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic third team. The outfielder also earned a spot on the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) first team. The junior led the Knights in batting average (.410), home runs (9) and RBI (51).
Mitchell lead Neumann to a 20-18-1 overall and the Knights qualified for the CSAC playoffs for the second season. The Knights also received a bid for the ECAC South Region Tournament for the second season, where they fell in the Championship game to Wesley College in extra innings.
Dan Jurik, LHP, St, John Fisher
Atlanta Braves, 25th round, No. 765 overall
Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 210
Bats: Left. Throws: Left
Hometown: Vestal, N.Y.
St. John Fisher's Dan Jurik has been selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 25th round of the 2010 major league draft draft. He is the first player from St. John Fisher to ever be drafted.
Jurik, who was named as the 2010 Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year and as the Cardinal's Male Athlete of the Year, posted a 7-3 record on the mound with a 1.99 earned run average. His 85 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched are both Fisher single-season records.
Jurik held lead the Cardinals to their most successful season in the program’s 23-year history. St. John Fisher finished the 2010 season with an overall record of 31-14, setting a record for wins in a season. The Cardinals won their first Empire 8 Conference title and finished second at the New York Regional of the NCAA Division III Championship, bowing out 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning in the title game to Cortland State.
In his solo appearance in NCAA Championship action, a 3-2 win over the Brockport State, the right-hander recorded a career-best 11 strikeouts and didn’t allow an earned run, earning him a spot on the All-Regional Team.
A three-time All-Conference selection, Jurik ranks first at Fisher in career strikeouts (202), wins (22) and innings pitched (226.1). The Vestal native also ranks among the top-ten in career appearances (47), complete games (9), and earned run average (3.30).
Yazy Arbello, RHP, Keystone
Arizona Diamondbacks, 26th round, No. 781 overall
Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 222
Bats: Left. Throws: Right
Hometown: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Keystone’s Yazy Arbello will be exchanging Keystone navy and orange for Arizona red and black. Arbello, a first baseman on the Giants’ baseball team this past season, was selected by the Arizona Diamonbacks with the 781st pick in the 26th round of the 2010 major league draft.
A native of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Arbello was a Second Team All-CSAC selection this past season, helping lead the Giants to a conference title and a NCAA berth.
Arbello wrapped up his junior campaign for the Giants hitting .389 (49-126) with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and a triple. His home run and doubles totals were second best on the team. The Port St Lucie native also scored 43, while driving in 33. Arbello also compiled a slugging percentage of .849.
Aiden Lucas, RHP, Denison
St. Louis Cardinals, 27th round, No. 829 overall
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 225
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Evanston, Ill.
Denison senior Aidan Lucas was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 27th round of the 2010 major league draft.
Lucas led the Big Red in 2010 with a 3.08 ERA and a 3-3 record in 49.2 innings pitched. He struck out a team-high 44 batters and held the opposition to a .239 batting average. In his first three years with the Big Red, Lucas was used primarily as the team's closer. He ranks second all-time with 15 career saves and struck out 122 batters in 122.2 career innings pitched. Lucas also leaves Denison as the career leader in ERA at 3.15.
"Aidan was a special player to coach," remarked Denison head coach Mike Clark. "I am excited that he is getting the opportunity to play at the next level. Aidan is a first-class young man and deserves every chance that he has worked so hard to achieve. I am sure he will represent the Cardinals well. I wish him all the best, and much continued success."
Lucas is a three-time All-NCAC selection and was named to the 2010 NCAC Baseball All-Tournament team. The Big Red finished the 2010 season in second place in the NCAC with a 23-18 record.
Lucas becomes the second player in Denison baseball history to be selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. The first was John Kenney '82 who was selected in the 23rd round with the 578th pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982.
Sean Murphy, RHP, Keystone
Oakland Athletics, 33rd round, No. 995 overall
Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 215
Bats: Both. Throws: Right
Hometown: Philadelphia, Penn.
Keystone baseball coach Jamie Shevchik has all the feelings of a proud father today. After seeing his junior first baseman Yazy Arbello taken on Tuesday in the 26th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, three more Giants were selected today to join the professional ranks.
Pitcher Sean Murphy was the first of the trio taken in the final day of the 2010 major league draft. Murphey was selected in the 33rd by the Oakland Athletics.
Murphy compiled a mark of 6-3 this past season with an earned run average of 3.22. The righty led the team with 56 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched, while allowing 23 earned runs and 63 hits.
Kelson Brown, RHP, Linfield
Pittsburgh Pirates, 34th round, No. 1017 overall
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 170
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: La Canada, Calif.
Kelson Brown became the first Linfield player in more than a decade to be selected in the amateur draft. Brown was a a 34th round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
A first team ABCA All-America shortstop as a senior, Brown recently led Linfield to within two victories of the NCAA Division III national championship. Named West Region and Northwest Conference Player of the Year, he enjoyed one of the finest seasons statistically by a Linfield Wildcat in recent years.
Leading the Wildcats to a school-record 37 wins, Brown hit a team-best .443 (third-best all-time at Linfield) while setting club records for hits (89) doubles (27), RBIs (72) and total bases (147). He played and started all 50 games, setting yet another single-season benchmark.
Through the 2010 season, he hit nine home runs and stole 20 bases while posting a .941 fielding percentage. Twice during the regular season, Brown earned NWC Player of the Week and had 28 games with at least two hits. At one time, he owned a 14-game hitting streak.
His remarkable senior season was preceded by an exception summer campaign in which he led the Clarinda (Iowa) A's to the 2009 NBC World Series.
Victor Lara, RHP, Keystone
Arizona Diamondbacks, 34th round, No. 1021 overall
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Pitcher Victor Lara was the third Keystone player selected in the 2010 major league draft. Lara was the 34th round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lara, a hard throwing righty who was used as the team's closer, turned in a mark of 0-1 with three saves. However, with pitches routinely touching the mid-90's, Lara recorded 33 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings. He allowed just eight earned runs on 15 hits.
Steve Dennison, LHP, Wheaton (Ill.)
Florida Marlins, 34th round, No. 1037 overall
Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 225
Bats: Left. Throws: Left
Hometown: Centenial, Col.
Wheaton (Ill.) pitcher Steve Dennison was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 34th round of the 2010 major league draft. Dennison’s selection makes him the first Wheaton baseball player taken in the MLB draft since Rob Hamman was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999.
Dennison, who completed his junior year at Wheaton, has compiled a record of 14-7 in three seasons on the mound for the Thunder, with seven complete games. The southpaw has worked 160-2/3 career innings for the Thunder with 148 career strikeouts. As a junior this spring, Dennison posted a 7-3 record, with three complete games.
Wheaton head coach Lee Driggers noted, "Any time you are recognized by professional baseball teams it shows that they see potential. That is a credit to Steve and his God given ability and talents." Driggers continued, "It’s always good when Division III players are drafted by Major League Baseball because it shows that teams and scouts will get out and find players at any level."
Ben Versnik, RHP, UW-Whitewater
Seattle Mariners, 38th round, No. 1152 overall
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 240
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: West Allis, Wisc.
Warhawk sophomore righthander Ben Versnik was picked by the Seattle Mariners in the 2010 major league draft. Versnick was selected in the 38th round, 1152 overall. The Mariners selected 30 pitchers out of their 50 picks. They selected 21 right handed pitchers and 9 left handed.
Versnik led the Warhawk relief pitching staff in 2010. Versnik posted the lowest earned run average on the team with a 3.04 over 20 appearances. He also posted seven saves this season, the highest single season total of any pitcher in UW-W history. Versnik posted a 2-1 record in relief making one start and also adding 35 strikeouts over 26.2 innings pitched. He held opposing hitters to a mere .220 batting average.
Steve Matre, RHP, Mt. St. Joseph
Los Angeles Dodgers, 39th round, No. 1192 overall
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Mount St. Joseph senior Steve Matre was taken in the 39th round of the major league draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matre missed the 2010 college baseball season for the Lions due to rehabbing from June, 2009 Tommy John surgery on his pitching arm.
Matre was surprised and excited about being selected in the draft. Matre was on the professional scout’s radar last spring and figured to be drafted before undergoing the pre-draft surgery.
"I was really excited to hear that I was chosen. It was like a dream come true and something that I’ve wanted to do (play professional baseball) for a long time."
Matre said he has been cleared by the doctor that did his surgery last season and he will be ready for action at the start of summer ball this weekend. He added that the Steam has told him they plan to break him in slowly, and that he will be used as their closer this season.
Nicolas Robinson, SS, North Central (Ill.)
Boston Red Sox, 39th round, No. 1193 overall.
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 195
Bats: Left. Throws: Right
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
North Central's Nick Robinson has been selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2010 major league draft. Robinson, who recently completed a four-year playing career for the Cardinals, was picked up in the 39th round, was the 1,193rd player chosen out of the 1,525 selections in the 50-round, three-day event.
Robinson batted .427 with 56 runs scored this season, setting new North Central records for hits (76) and at-bats (178). He finished among the Cardinals' career top 10 in hits (199), at-bats (560), runs (123), total bases (245) and triples (7).
Robinson was a First Team All-College CCIW and Second Team All-Central Region selection as a senior, when he helped lead North Central to a 31-11 overall record and the program's first CCIW Championship since 1998.
He is the fifth North Central player to be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft and the first since pitcher Todd Trunk was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 98th round in 1996.
Chris Jarrett, OF, Anderson
Arizona Diamondbacks, 42nd round, No. 1261 overall
Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 175
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Hagerstown, Ind.
Anderson senior Chris Jarrett, a American Baseball Coaches Association All-American 2nd Team selection, was picked in the 42nd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was the 1,261st pick in the 50-round three-day draft.
Jarrett was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player as well as 1st Team All-Mideast Region. The outfielder batted .441 with 75 hits, 62 runs, 11 doubles, eight triples, 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 150 total bases, 23 stolen bases and a .882 slugging percentage.
His eight triples, 16 home runs and .882 slugging percentage were the most on the 10-player 1st Team and his 150 total bases were the second best.
Brett Carroll, LHP, William Paterson
Minnesota Twins, 42nd round, No. 1275 overall
Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 210
Bats: Right. Throws: Left
Hometown: River Edge, N.J.
William Paterson left-handed pitcher Brett Carroll was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the 42nd round of the 2010 major league draft.
As a junior this spring, his first as a Pioneer, Carroll paced the William Paterson pitching staff with a 4-3 record and a 3.04 earned-run average. The honorable-mention all-NJAC started in nine of 10 appearances, pitched two complete games, registered a save, and struck out 76 and walked 27 in 68.0 innings pitched. He was second in strikeouts, fifth in ERA, eighth in opponent batting average (.244) and ninth in innings pitched in the NJAC statistics, and he placed third on the William Paterson single-season strikeouts list.
Carroll transferred to William Paterson from Oral Roberts where he made three appearances as a junior (2009) and 11 appearances as a sophomore (2008), compiling a 4.26 ERA and not allowing a run in 10 of his 11 appearances. As a freshman, he played for Temple where he appeared in relief three times before receiving a medical redshirt.
Thirty-one former Pioneers have played baseball professionally. The last William Paterson standout to be drafted was outfielder Bryan Graham, picked up by the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round of the 2003 MLB draft.
Eric Groff, 3B, Keystone
Arizona Diamondbacks, 44th round, No. 1321 overall
Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 195
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Lebanon, Penn.
Infielder Eric Groff was taken in the 44th round by the Arizona Diamonbacks. Arizona reached into the Keystone program for three of their fifty draft picks.
Groff, a third team D3baseball All-America Selection, was the 2009 conference Player of the Year and the MVP of 2010 conference tournament. He hit .368 (56-152) this past season while setting the single season Keystone record for home runs in a season with 18, breaking Gomez's mark of 17. He led the team in RBI with 54, while tying for the team lead in runs scored with 48. He also added eight doubles and five triples in compiling an .842 slugging percentage.
"I can not express how proud I am of these guys," stated Coach Shevchik, who is currently in Connecticut serving as head coach of the Danbury Westerners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
"We have a solid program with great kids who buy into our philosophy. These draft selections are the reward for their dedication and commitment. This has been the greatest day in my baseball career," added Shevchik.
James Kang, SS, Pomona-Pitzer
Boston Red Sox, 47th round, No. 1373 overall
Ht.: 5-10. Wt.:175
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Pomona Pitzer’s James Kang has been selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 45th round of major league’s 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He is the fourth Sagehen since 2003 to be selected in the draft.
Kang, who recently graduated from Pomona-Pitzer with a degree in Economics, will join former Sagehen Drew Hedman in the Red Sox organization. This is another honor to add to the list for Kang who was named SCIAC Player of the Year, Pomona-Pitzer Most Valuable Athlete, ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-American and D3Baseball.com Honorable Mention All-American.
Cody Young, OF, Anderson
Baltimore Orioles, 47th round, No. 1408 overall
Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 205
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Muncie, Ind.
Anderson senior Cody Young Joined Chris Jarrett as both were drafted in the Major League Baseball amateur draft on Wednesday.
Young, who was named to the d3baseball.com Honorable Mention All-American Team, was selected in the 47th round (1,408th pick) by the Baltimore Orioles.
Young was named to the All-Mideast Region 2nd Team and was 1st Team All-HCAC. He batted .482 with 12 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBI, 108 total bases, 11 stolen bases and a .982 slugging percentage.
The last Raven to be selected in the MLB draft was Brian Cruz, who was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 41st round of the 1993 amateur draft.
James Wood, OF, Trinity (Conn.)
Seattle Mariners, 47th round, No. 1422 overall
Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 200
Bats: Right. Throws: Right
Hometown: Windham, N.H.
Trinity (Conn.) senior outfielder James Wood, was the last D-III player selected in the 2010 major league draft. Wood was the 47th choice of the Seattle Mariners, the 1422nd overall.
Wood was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-American Second Team and as the 2010 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Player of the Year, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Baseball Co-Player of the Year, and the 2010 Div. III National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) New England Player of the Year this spring.
Wood was also an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star First Team selection, and a first team selection on the All-NESCAC and All-NEIBA squads.