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:.