Four More Tide Players Drafted
6/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Seniors Jordan Davis, Matt Downs and Evan Bush and junior Jake McCarter were taken on the second day of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft in New York.
Alabama had a total of eight players selected in the two-day MLB draft. The Crimson Tide also had four signees taken in this year's draft along with one football signee.
Davis was the first UA player taken on Wednesday as he was selected in the 19th round (574th pick) by the Florida Marlins. The 2006 draft marks the first time Davis has been drafted in his collegiate career.
"This is very exciting," Davis said. "To be a fifth-year senior and to be drafted for the first time and to go this high is a very good. We have a lot left to play for this season and we want to go as far as we can. As my college career comes to an end I will now be able to move to a new venue. I hope everything works out."
Davis was one of two Crimson Tide fifth-year seniors taken in this year's draft. Senior catcher Kody Valverde was taken in the 10th round on Tuesday by the San Diego Padres.
Downs was selected in the 39th round (1,076th pick) by the San Francisco Giants. Downs was drafted in the 25th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates following his freshman season (2003) at Shelton State Community College, but opted to transfer to Alabama, where he leads the Crimson Tide with 61 RBI this season.
McCarter was drafted for the fourth time in his career on Wednesday as he was a 45th round selection (1,359th pick) by the Boston Red Sox. McCarter has also been previously drafted by Cincinnati (40th round, 2003), New York Yankees (28th round, 2004) and Washington Nationals (34th round, 2005).
Bush was the last UA player taken in the draft as the San Francisco took him in the 48th round (1,428th pick).
"I have not talked to them yet," Bush said. "I was really hoping to be picked today. I did not care when I was taken or care which team. I was just hoping for a chance. I think it's cool to be with the Giants and head out somewhere with Downs."
Alabama football signee Justin Woodall, a standout defensive back from Lafayette High School in Oxford, Miss., was drafted in the 19th round (574th pick) by the New York Mets.
2006 Alabama Crimson Tide Baseball Draft Log
Player, Position Round Pick MLB Team
*Billy Rowell, INF 1st 9th Baltimore Orioles
Wade LeBlanc, LHP 2nd 61st San Diego Padres
*Bryant Thompson, RHP 4th 117th Arizona Diamondbacks
Emeel Salem, OF 10th 295th Baltimore Orioles
Kody Valverde, C 10th 303rd San Diego Padres
David Robertson, RHP 17th 524th New York Yankees
*Del Howell, LHP 18th 554th New York Yankees
^Justin Woodall, LHP 19th 574th New York Mets
Jordan Davis 19th 575th Florida Marlins
Matt Downs 36th 1,076th San Francisco Giants
Jake McCarter 45th 1,359th Boston Red Sox
*Vin DiFazio 46th 1,371st Baltimore Orioles
Evan Bush 48th 1,428th San Francisco Giants
* -- 2005-06 Alabama Baseball Signee
^ -- 2006 Alabama Football Signee
