June 9, 2009

KENNESAW, Ga. - It was no secret that before this year's Major League Baseball Draft Kennesaw State could have its highest-ever draft choice and when Chad Jenkins was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 20th pick in the first round, he became the Owls highest-ever draft pick.

Prior to Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn, who was taken in the supplemental round as the 47th pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, the highest draft pick the Owls had was pitcher Matt Pender who was taken in third round pick of the 2002 draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Pender, the 87th selection overall, was one of five Kennesaw State pitchers selected in the top 10 rounds of the draft prior to this season. The right-hander was one of four Owls selected in consecutive seasons in the first 10 rounds of the draft. Kennesaw State had at least one player selected in the first 10 rounds from 2000-03.

In 2000, right-handed pitcher Lee Rodney was a 10th round pick of the Detroit Tigers. Jamie Tricoglou, a strong-armed right-handed pitcher was a 6th round pick of the Colorado Rockies the following season. Pender was taken in 2002 and in 2003, strikeout king and Australia-native Grant Reynolds was taken in the 9th round by the Oakland Athletics.

Donnie Thomas, another hard-throwing right-hander was the first top 10 round draft pick from Kennesaw State. The Houston Astros made him a 9th round choice in the 1997 draft.

Major League Teams Drafting Kennesaw State Players
Cincinnati Reds (3) - Justin Freeman ('08), Mike Bohana ('08), Judd Ross (2000)
Detroit Tigers (3) - Matt Pender ('02), Landon Stockman ('01), Lee Rodney (2000)
St. Louis Cardinals (2) - John Kelly ('90), Cliff Brannon ('89)
Cleveland Indians (2) - Adam Brandenburg ('03), Anthony Marini ('99)
Houston Astros (2) - Donnie Thomas ('97), Ryan Coe ('95)
Milwaukee Brewers (2) - Kyle Heckathorn ('09), Brian Mallette^ ('96)
New York Mets (2) -Gary Bohannon ('98), Mike Prokop ('98)
Oakland Athletics (2) - Grant Reynolds ('03), Lloyd Turner ('02)
Baltimore Orioles - Willie Harris^ ('99)
Chicago Cubs - Donny Hood ('02)
Chicago White Sox - Brannon Whatley ('98)
Colorado Rockies - Jamie Tricoglou ('01)
Montreal Expos - Brett Campbell^ ('04)
San Diego Padres - Zach Wycoff (2000)
Seattle Mariners - Kevin Gergel ('05)
Texas Rangers - Jason Jones^ ('99)
Toronto Blue Jays - Chad Jenkins ('09)

* Free Agent Signees - Chad Morris (Montreal Expos), Chris McKnight (Atlanta Braves), John Kown (St. Louis Cardinals), Jason Childers^ (Milwaukee Brewers), Nate Cotton (Cincinnati Reds), Ray Redden (Atlanta Braves)

^ - Reached Major Leagues