Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Four Baseball Players Selected in MLB Draft
6/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 8, 2011
Boca Raton, Fla. - Four members of the Florida Atlantic University baseball program were selected to possibly continue their playing aspirations in the professional ranks after being selected in this year's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Right-handed pitcher Paul Davis was the 537th overall selection (17th round) by the defending world champion San Francisco Giants; second baseman Raymond Church was the 810th selection (26th round) by the Tampa Bay Rays, third base recruit Alex Santana was the 73rd pick (second round) by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and infield recruit Mitchell Morales was the 1,297th selection (43rd round) by the Washington Nationals.
"As the draft comes to a close, it has been a bitter sweet couple of days," said John McCormack, FAU's head baseball coach. "We are excited for Paul, Raymond, Alex, and Mitchell but also feel for the deserving guys that did not get selected. We continue to be extremely proud of all our players and their accomplishments on the field and off."
This marks the second time that Davis has had his name called in the MLB Draft. He was selected in the 29th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2010 after a standout pitching career at Pensacola Junior College.
The Brandon, Fla. native made the most of his first season as an Owl, being named the Sun Belt Conference's Pitcher of the Week twice and ranking among the league leaders in wins (10) and earned run average (2.87).
"Paul Davis had an outstanding year and being drafted by the Giants is another testament to his great season," said McCormack. "I am very proud of him and excited for he and his family."
Davis made 13 starts after starting the season in the Owls' bullpen, where he helped the team defeat nationally ranked University of Miami in the opening week of the season. Later, as a starter, he struck out a career-high nine batters in a complete-game shutout victory against FIU on May 20. Davis also tossed a complete game against the Golden Panthers on March 19, and he also went the distance against Louisiana-Monroe on April 16.
Church led FAU with 51 runs scored, 80 hits and six home runs during his senior season. He earned first team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and hit .351 at the plate. The second baseman hit two home runs in the conference tournament, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning in the opener against Western Kentucky on May 25. Church successfully stole 13 bases on the season and drew 29 walks compared to 33 strikeouts.
"Getting drafted is a compliment to Raymond Church's hard work and consistent play," said McCormack. "He had a wonderful career and I look forward to watching him in professional baseball."
Church tied the school record with a 24-game hitting streak that spanned two seasons earlier this year. He later developed a 17-game hitting streak. He played a vital role in the Owls winning the 2010 conference regular-season championship and advancing to the championship game of the NCAA Division I Gainesville Regional.
Santana signed to play at FAU during the fall period and the Cape Coral native hit .402 with four home runs and 33 RBI as a junior. He earned all-area honors and has appeared in the Florida Diamond Club and East Coast Pro showcase.
Likewise, Morales also signed a National Letter of Intent in the fall hit .333 during his junior year to help lead Wellington High School to a 5A District Championship. He with 24 RBI, 28 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.
FAU tied for fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference this season with a 17-13 league mark and 32-25 overall record.
