14 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, June 14, 2004
SPORTS
(raft day disappointment
By Ryan Sosin
Daily Sports Editor
Tossing a complete-game eight-hitter
against Ohio State in the Big Ten tour-
nament could have been a great way for
Michigan junior pitcher Jim Brauer to
end his collegiate career. At the time he
wasn't thinking about jumping into the
system of a big league team or what the
scouts in the stands were thinking.
"I was more concerned with winning
a championship in what I thought
would be my last year at Michigan,"
Brauer said.
But the Wolverines dropped the next
two games after Brauer's gem against
the Buckeyes, ending his and Michi-
gan's bid for a Big Ten title.
Twelve days after what could have
been his final start as a Wolverine,
turning pro became his main focus.
But after his name went uncalled on
the first day of the Major League
Baseball First Year Player Draft last
Monday, his plans changed.
Despite being ranked as the fifth-best
prospect in the state of Michigan by
Baseball America, it took 42 rounds
before the New York Mets put Brauer's
name up on the draft board. Seventeen
players from the Great Lakes state went
ahead of him.
"A lot of kids get bitter in this situa-
tion," Brauer said. "You were told you
were supposed to go higher and didn't."
But he doesn't intend on letting
bitterness get the best of him.
Brauer said he has to decide
between coming back to try for a
championship at Michigan or sign a
contract with the Mets hoping for a
chance to show off his stuff in the
Mets minor league system.
Should he sign with the Mets, Brauer
would likely be sent to the Brooklyn
Cyclones of the New York-Penn
League, a Low-A affiliate.
"It kind of put things in perspective,"
Brauer said. "You have to decide what's
more important, what are your goals."
The Mets selection of Brauer
marked the third time in his career the
Michigan righty was picked in the
draft. Just a year prior, the Colorado
Rockies selected Brauer in the 17th
round, 25 rounds earlier than he was
picked this year. In 2000, before
Brauer headed to Ann Arbor, the
Montreal Expos used their 29th round
pick to select him out of Carmel High
School in Indiana.
One advantage Brauer has over
some other draft picks is an extra year
of eligibility. After taking a medical
red shirt with a shoulder injury in
2003, he can simply walk away from
the table and remain a part of Michi-
gan's rotation next season.
"They know the situation of me
being passed up," Brauer said. "The
option is there to work something out,
and the option is also for me to come
back to school. It's really going to be a
tough call."
a
Michigan junior pitcher Jim Brauer expected to be heading to the majors, but after
being passed on until the 42nd round his future is not so clear.
2004 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT RECAP
DEREK FELDKAMP
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER
Drafted: Selected by the Toronto
Blue Jays in the 41st round, 1,227th
overall
Remai g -, y Tiopears
Odds' . Sli He is pro-
jected t uch igher in the
draft next
What's ne- comeback to Ann
Arbor for junior season. Still unclear
on whether he will be a starter or
reliever.
JIM BRAUER
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER
Drafted: Selected by the New York
Mets in the 42nd round, 1,243rd
overall
Remaining eligibility: one year
Odds of signing: It woold take an
unheard of offer to pull him away.
He feels that most teams made a
mistake by passing on him,.
What's next: If he comes back to
Michigan, watch out for a seriously
determined player. A
BRANDON ROBERTS
OUTFIELDER/DH
Drafted: Selected by the Cincinnati
Reds in the 45th round, 1,334th
overall
Remaining ibility:None
Odds of siig: Signed de it atur-
day d hasalready rep rtd tothe
BillingsMUSt gt5, :t ' ^
What's ',ext Brandon couf be a
real sleepe Teams shied priy from
his inconsistei orh ing.'But when
he is dialed in, he can crush pitchers.
6
0
S
Former Wolverine DH Brandon Roberts was taken in the 45th round by the Cincinnati
' ..;.., Reds after leading Michigan with a .368 batting average.
Roberts begins pro career
By Ryan Sosin the Michigan outfield during his first
Daily Sports Editor three seasons, splitting between left
"Don't let your and right field, and was expected to
Former Michigan designated hitter spend some time at first base last year
Brandon Roberts signed a deal with before junior transfer Kyle Bohm took
the Cincinnati Reds and joined the over that position.
get ahead of team's short-season rookie club in Roberts was the third Wolverine
99 Billings, Montana on Saturday. picked in the draft, marking the sec-
Roberts, who was selected by the ond season in a row that Michigan
Reds in the 45th round of Monday's has had three players taken, with
draft, led the Wolverines in hitting sophomore pitcher Derek Feldkamp
with a .368 batting average while and Brauer accounting for the other
earning All-Big Ten honors. two.
"I wasn't really sure even if I would "It's huge for recruiting because
get drafted," Roberts said. "Just to get (Michigan baseball) coach (Rich)
D.sCO BAR B S a phone call from the Reds to hear Maloney can now show to recruits
j ETABLIESID 1939 that you've been selected by them is that we are getting three to five guys
304 1/2 s. STATE ST. 2ND FLOOR something I will never forget." getting drafted every year," Roberts
ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 After spending an entire season said. "It shows to the younger guys,
ee 9329 serving as the Wolverine designated 'Come play here and your going to
wWW.DASCOLABARBERS.COM hitter, Roberts will now go back out have a chance to play professional
BY PPOINTMIENT into the field. He made 106 starts in baseball.'" #.Q:.