The Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team had a successful 2010 Major League Baseball draft. The Tide had a total of 11 players taken in the draft; seven players from this year’s roster and four Tide signees were selected. Alabama has had at least one player drafted for 32 consecutive years, dating back to 1979.
“We are very excited and pleased for all of our players and signees taken in the Major League Draft,” head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “We had six players, three on our current team and three signees, taken in the first 10 rounds. That says a lot about what type of players they are. We are very excited for Nelson and Rutledge, who were both taken in the top three rounds. I know it was a big day for them.”
Nelson was the 64th overall pick, taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round. It was the second time the Niceville, Fla., native has had his name called in the MLB Draft. He was selected in the 39th round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2007 draft.
In addition to Nelson and Rutledge, junior second baseman Ross Wilson was selected in the 10th round (308th pick) by the Chicago White Sox. Senior third baseman Jake Smith was a 15th round pick (471 overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies. Sophomore right-hander Tyler White was a 20th round pick (613th selection) by the Detroit Tigers. Senior first baseman Clay Jones and junior right-hander Jason Townsend had their names called on the final day of the 2010 Major League Draft and in day two of the first-year player draft on Wednesday.
The Tide had three signees taken in the first five rounds, including shortstop Matt Lipka, Reggie Golden and John McGuarian.
Lipka, a product of McKinney (Texas) High School, was the 35th overall pick in the draft by the Atlanta Braves. Golden, an outfielder from Wetumpka (Ala.) High School, was taken in the second round (65th pick) by the Chicago Cubs. McGuarian, a standout right-hander at Pensacola Catholic High School, was taken in the fifth round (157th pick) by the Cincinnati Reds. UA signee Austen Smith was taken in the 48th round by the New York Mets. The Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic High School standout was the 1,442nd overall pick.
“It’s always a risk when you sign talented players like we do,” Gaspard said. “Matt Lipka is a tremendous talent, and we knew that he had a chance to play in the majors. It is a part of the business.”
Gaspard says he understands that all players want to go pro. He just tries to give them good advice, but he knows it is their decision.
“Every player hopes to get drafted,” Gaspard said. “It’s a boyhood dream. We just want them to be smart and understand how the minor leagues work. We also want them to get their education and a degree, but at the end of the day that is more of a personal and family decision.”
