June 11, 2009

KENNESAW, Ga. - Another Kennesaw State baseball player was taken in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft as Tyler Stubblefield was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 33rd round Thursday afternoon.

A junior, Stubblefield still has a year of eligibility remaining and can opt to return to the Owls for his senior year. An infielder his entire career with the Owls, Stubblefield moved to play shortstop this season for KSU. The Woodstock, Ga., native led KSU in doubles with 20 and was second on the Owls in homers with seven.

"Tyler is an example of a guy that uses every bit of his athletic ability," said KSU head baseball coach Mike Sansing. "This season, he had the opportunity to play shortstop, which gave the professional scouts an opportunity to see that Tyler could play that position at the next level."

Stubblefield is the sixth KSU baseball player to be selected in this year's draft. Chad Jenkins and Kyle Heckathorn were selected on day one within the first 50 picks, while Kenny Faulk, Jace Whitmer, and Justin Edwards were taken on day two.

In addition, another high school player that committed to come to Kennesaw State was drafted, as pitcher Catlan Kendrick was taken in the 49th round by the Texas Rangers.

"Catlan is a guy who was on the radar. As a freshman, I think he would come in and start for us," said Coach Sansing. "I feel like he has the talent to go on and be successful."

Including signees Zack Wheeler and Telvin Nash, nine current or potentially-future Kennesaw State baseball players were taken over the 50 rounds of this year's draft. KSU was the only school in the state of Georgia to have two players taken within the first 50 picks of the draft.