June 6, 2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Four Santa Clara baseball players were selected in the 2008 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Friday, June 6. Pitchers Mark Willinsky and Justin Kuehn and outfielders Evan LeBlanc and Matt Long were drafted by four different teams.

Willinsky was the first Bronco to be selected this year. The righty was picked in the 15th round (458 overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers. An All-West Coast Conference honoree, Willinsky was 4-2 with a 5.46 ERA in 20 appearances this season. Santa Clara's closer registered six saves on the season. For his career, Willinsky ranks fourth all-time in saves.

Kuehn was then drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round (570 overall). The righty was 1-3 with a 6.42 ERA in 19 appearances. His junior campaign was highlighted by a five inning outing against then-No. 20 Oklahoma State in which he struck out a career-high seven batters. In his career, Kuehn struck out 99 batters in 58 appearances, 21 of which he started in.

The New York Mets chose LeBlanc in the 23rd Round (704 overall). A unanimous All-WCC selection, the outfielder led the Broncos in batting average (.376), hits (86) and stolen bases (11). LeBlanc also led the conference in hits and was ranked fifth in runs, sixth in batting and ninth in on base percentage. His junior campaign was highlighted by a 14-game hitting streak that included his first career Grand Slam against San Jose State and WCC Player of the Week honors. LeBlanc ranks eighth all-time in batting average.

Chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 23rd round (708 overall) was junior outfielder Long. The two-time All-WCC selection led the Broncos in runs (54), triples (5) and walks (36). His junior season was highlighted with 11 home runs and by becoming the first Bronco since 1994 to hit for the cycle, which he did against Hawaii-Hilo on Apr. 26.