9 Players With Tech Ties Drafted in MLB Draft
By: Rhett Kleinschmidt
Updated: August 21, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas. - Five current Red Raiders and four signees were all drafted today on the second and final day of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.Leading the way on Tech's active roster was junior catcher Matt Smith who was taken as the 450th overall pick by the Oakland A's in the 14th-round. He finished the 2007 season with a team-high 47 RBIs and tallied a .282 average along with 11 doubles and 11 home runs.
Sophomore right-hander Miles Morgan was selected in the 17th-round (527th overall pick) by the Cleveland Indians. Morgan only made one appearance on the mound and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Seniors Kyle Martin, Colt Hynes and Aaron Odom were taken in the 29th, 31st and 40th rounds respectively. Martin was the 876th overall pick by the Kansas City Royals while Hynes was the 956th overall pick by the San Diego Padres. Martin ended the year tied with Roger Kieschnick for the team lead in home runs with 13 while adding 46 RBIs. Hynes was a mainstay in the weekend rotation all season long and logged a 5.94 ERA through 83 1/3 innings of work while making 13 starts. Odom was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 40th round after turning in a 6-4 record this season in 64 innings of work.
Texas Tech had four signees taken in the early rounds of the draft (three pitchers and one outfielder). Sierra Junior College product David Dinelli was taken as the 201st overall pick in the sixth round by the Houston Astros. Local standout Chad Bettis of Lubbock Monterey was taken by the Houston Astros as the 261st overall pick in the eighth round. Marcus High School product Thomas Pressly was taken in the 11th round (354th overall pick) by the Boston Red Sox. Rounding out the signees was Tanner Rindels (OF) of Seward Junior College. Rindels was taken in the 36th round by Detroit.
Underclassmen have until Aug. 15th to make the decision as to whether to turn pro or return/enroll in school.
(from texas tech press release)
