First day of the Draft features the Pac-12
SAN FRANCISCO— The Pac-12 Conference saw UCLA's James Kaprielian and ARIZONA's Kevin Newman go in the first round of the major league baseball draft. It was the 19th-straight year the Conference had a first round pick.
ARIZONA's Scott Kingery, ARIZONA STATE's Brett Lilek, UCLA's Kevin Kramer were selected in the second round and OREGON STATE's Andrew Moore went in the Lottery B round giving the Pac-12 six players on day one of the Draft.
Kaprielian was the 16th overall pick of the Draft, going to the Yankees. According to MLB.com expert Jim Callis, he said, "I see him as a future No. 3 starter and he can get there pretty quick."
Kaprielian was a two-time first team All-Pac-12 selection and a second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball this past season following a 10-4 record and 2.03 ERA. Baseball America's scouting report noted, "Kaprielian knows how to finish hitters off when he’s ahead in the count, with a plus curveball as his best pitch."
Newman was a third team All-American this year and a three-time All-Pac-12 pick. He was picked 19th overall pick by the Pirates. Baseball expert Peter Gammons, who saw Newman become the first-ever two-time Cape Cod League batting champion said of Newman, "He's just a ballplayer. It will be fun to see where he goes." Newman hit .370 last year for the Wildcats.
Kingery went to the Phillies as the 48th overall pick. Kingery was a two-time Pac-12 batting champion, two-time All-Pac-12 pick and third-team All-American this season after batting .392. Lilek, an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection, and 50th overall pick, went to the Marlins. The lefthander was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 15 starts. Kramer was the 62nd overall pick, also joining the Pirates as a third team All-American and a first team All-Pac-12 pick after batting .323.
Moore, a second team All-American and two-time All-Pac-12 pick, was 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA and the 72nd pick after the second round concluded and before tomorrow's third round.
Since 1997, the Pac-12 has had at least one player drafted each season in the first round. During that time, the Pac-12 has garnered 62 first round picks (including this year). Fifty years ago, Rick Monday out of Arizona State was the first pick ever in the Draft in 1965. He went onto the Athletics, Cubs, and Dodgers and was a two-time All-Star.
The Pac-12 had 42 players on opening day MLB rosters this April.
FIRST DAY PICKS FROM THE PAC-12
James Kaprielian, rhp, UCLA, 1st round, 16th overall, Yankees | HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Kevin Newman, ss, Arizona, 1st round, 19th overall, Pirates | HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Scott Kingery, 2b, Arizona, 2nd round, 48th overall, Phillies | HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Brett Lilek, lhp, Arizona State, 2nd round, 50th overall, Marlins
Kevin Kramer, ss, UCLA, 2nd round, 62nd overall, Pirates | HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Andrew Moore, rhp, Oregon State, Lottery B Round, 72nd overall, Mariners