PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Metro State baseball standout
Matt McConnell was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 36th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Thursday. McConnell is the ninth player in Metro State history to be drafted and will become the 14th player to sign a professional contract with a Major League Baseball team. He is the first Roadrunner drafted since 2004 when Blake Eager was selected in the 30th round by the New York Mets. Clint Cleland was the last to sign a professional contract, signing with the San Diego Padres in 2005.
"It's a pretty exciting day for me, the program and especially Matt," Metro State head coach Jerry Schemmel commented. "He deserves it. He's a talented baseball player that has worked tremendously hard to get to this point. He's a field rat who absolutely loves to play the game, and play the game the right way. We will have a blast following Matt and his professional baseball career."
The Roadrunner shortstop batted .399 with 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases as a senior this spring to earn first team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors. A native of Mesa, Ariz., McConnell said he plans to fly home Thursday night to sign his contract and will fly out to Pennsylvania this weekend to begin playing. McConnell said he will likely play for the Phillies' Short-Season Class A team, the Williamsport Crosscutters in Williamsport, Pa. The Phillies plan on moving McConnell to second base as a professional. The Crosscutters begin 2009 play on June 19 against Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate State College.
Philadelphia Phillies Official Website
Metro State in the MLB Draft
1986-Tim Collins, Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies (18th round)
1987-Jay Estrada, Pitcher, San Diego Padres (29th round)
1988-Todd Goergen, Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies (20th round)*
1989-Torin Berge, First Base, Cincinnati Reds (30th round)
1994-Chan Mayber, Shortstop, Colorado Rockies (37th round)
1998-Leo Torres, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs (31st round)
2003-Brian Edwards, Outfield, San Diego Padres (46th round)
2004-Blake Eager, Pitcher, New York Mets (30th round)
2009-Matt McConnell, Second Base, Philadelphia Phillies (36th round)
*Goergen played 1988 at Trinidad State Junior College after spending 1987 at Metro State