The ASU Sun Devil baseball team can rest easy now that the 2002 Major League Baseball draft is over. Only three current Sun Devils were taken in the draft and it is doubtful that two of them will leave Tempe for the big leagues.
Only pitchers Mike Esposito, Bryce Kartler and outfielder Jon Sheaffer were selected in ASU's worst draft showing since coach Pat Murphy took over in 1994. Both Esposito and Kartler are leaning toward returning for the 2003 season. Only Sheaffer – a graduated senior – will not return next year.
Initially drafted out of high school in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999, Esposito dropped to the 12th round last week before the Colorado Rockies finally picked the right-handed sophomore up with the 351st overall pick.
The only other Sun Devil drafted on the first day of the draft Sheaffer. The senior center fielder, who spent the last month of the 2002 regular season suspended by Murphy, was selected by the New York Yankees with the 576th pick in the 19th round.
Kartler was one of the final selections made on the second day of the draft, when the Cleveland Indians selected him with the 1,427th overall pick.
Pedroia named All-American
ASU freshman infielder Dustin Pedroia was named to the Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American team last week. Pedroia, who set a new freshman record with 82 hits this season, was one of three Sun Devils named to the team. Freshmen Jeff Larish and Mark Sopko were named to the Honorable Mention team.
Team USA tryouts begin
Pedroia, along with reliever Ryan Schroyer, will head to Tucson next week for tryouts at Hi Corbett Field for the 2002 Team USA squad. Workouts begin June 18 and run through June 23. The official roster will be announced on June 24.
Bonds passes Robinson
Former Sun Devil Barry Bonds passed baseball great Frank Robinson on the all-time home run list last Wednesday when he connected on a 482-foot-shot against the San Diego Padres. Bonds now has sole possession of fourth place on the list, with his godfather Willie Mays occupying third place with 660 home runs.
Reach the reporter at al.stevens@asu.edu.
