Danny Pfrank
GoSycamores.com
NEW YORK ? A pair of Indiana State University pitchers were selected within nine slots of each other on the final day of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft being held in New York City. The New York Yankees selected Jacob Petricka near the end of the 34th round and with the second pick of the 35th round, the Seattle Mariners selected Eric Valdez.
Petricka and Valdez both transferred to Indiana State from junior colleges and made significant impacts on the Sycamore pitching staff during the 2009 season. Petricka finished the season tied for the team lead in wins with seven, while carrying a 4.76 ERA over 73.2 innings pitched. Valdez pitched a team-high 89.1 innings this past season, tallying five wins and a 5.44 ERA.
Both ISU pitchers still have eligibility remaining for the 2010 season, so they now must choose to sign with their respective Major League teams or return to Indiana State.
Three slots after Valdez, another Terre Haute local and Indiana State incoming freshman was drafted. Jeremy Lucas, who attends West Vigo High School, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles. Like Petricka and Valdez, Lucas must choose between Indiana State and beginning his professional career with Baltimore.
Yesterday, Indiana State's Nick Ciolli (10th round), Brady Shoemaker (19th round), Bronco Lafrenz (22nd round) were all selected during the second day of the 2009 Draft.
At the completion of the 35th round, seventeen players from the Missouri Valley Conference have been drafted. Missouri State leads all teams with six players selected, led by outfielder Ben Carlson (sixth round). Indiana State ranks second among MVC teams with five players selected during the 2009 Draft. Northern Iowa has had two players drafted, while one player has been selected from Bradley, Creighton, Evansville and Southern Illinois each.
