Monday, June 14, 2010
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Five Wolverines selected in2010 MLB Draft
By ZAK PYZIK
Daily Sports Writer
After the 2010 Major League Base-
ball Draft last Monday-Wednesday,
one thing became clear - the Michi-
gan baseball team will face a tall task
next year.
Five Wolverines were chosen in the
MLB Draft, with three having anoth-
er year of eligibility remaining.
Junior outfielder Ryan LaMarre,
junior right-handers Matt Miller and
Tyler Burgoon, senior right-hander
Alan Oaks and senior catcher Chris
Berset went in the second, fifth,
eighth, tenth and twentieth rounds
respectively. As of this past weekend,
LaMarre, Miller and Oaks had inked
deals.
LaMarre reached terms on a con-
tract with the Cincinnati Reds, who
selected him with the 62nd overall
pick.
The junior star was out for 18 games
this year because of a broken thumb
but still managed to belt five home
runs and collect 40 RBI, leading the
team in hitting, on-base percentage
and slugging. He was named First
Team All-Big Ten for his efforts.
"This is definitely a dream,"
LaMarre said. "The Reds (are) a great
program and I'm glad to be a part of
it now.
"I feel like (Michigan coach Rich
Maloney) and myself did quite a bit of
work and that Michigan prepared me
both mentally and physically for pro-
fessional baseball."
The Jackson native reported to
the Dayton Dragons, the Reds' Low-
Single A affiliate. LaMarre's signing
officially means that he will forgo his
senior season at Michigan to begin his
professional career.
"Losing (LaMarre) in particular
is huge," Michigan coach Rich Malo-
ney said on Saturday night. "He is a
great player and has a legitimate shot
at the big leagues. It's hard to replace
a player like that. But he had a great
experience at Michigan. LaMarre has
something special. His makeup is dif-
ferent."
Miller, too, will skip his senior year.
He signed with the Milwaukee Brew-
ers, and will join the Helena Brewers
of the Rookie-ball Pioneer League,
which opens its season on June 21.
He was perhaps Michigan's most
talented pitcher, but couldn't consis-
tently perform this season. Pitching
mostly as a midweek starter, Miller
"I'm happy
for the guys,
because this is
their dream."
went 3-3 with a 5.06 ERA.
"Matt Miller is a late riser," Malo-
ney said. "A lot of times in pro base-
ball, they hope some players emerge
(later) in their career. Miller may do
that."
The Wolverine senior class also saw
success in this year's draft.
Ace pitcher Alan Oaks was picked
by the Florida Marlins. Oaks struck
out 71 batters his final year as a Wol-
verine and recorded six wins, which
tied him with Burgoon for the team
MARISSA MCCLAIN/Daily
Michigan baseball junior Ryan LaMarre has decided to forego his senior year after signing a contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
lead.
The high school hockey player
joked in an interview with The Michi-
gan Daily on Saturday night about
taking advantage of his additional
year of eligibility in a different sport
and staying in Ann Arbor to play for
Red Berenson, but he said that he has
reached terms with the Marlins.
Berset followed LaMarre in the
lineup and coincidentally may also
follow him to Cincinnati. The Reds
drafted him as well and have offered
Berset a contract, which he had not yet
signed as of Saturday.
The co-captain enjoyed a breakout
senior season and was a semifinalist
for the Johnny Bench Award, named
for the former Red and given to the
best collegiate catcher in the nation.
Maloney says that despite their
amateur success, the senior pair of
Oaks and Berset have a long way to go
to make itto the big leagues.
"They have to continue to get bet-
ter," Maloney said. "If Alan pitches
like he did at Michigan, he won't make
it. For the pros, all these guys are good
players. It is so highly competitive and
it is cutthroat.
"Alan has the makings of good stuff
but it is going to have to get better. And
so will Chris."
The Seattle Mariners picked Bur-
goon, who was the Wolverines' closer.
The right-hander recorded 10 saves
this season, and was named Second
Team All-Big Ten.
Burgoon had not yet decided
whether to sign or return to school for
his senior year.
"He hasn't made a decision yet,"
Maloney said. "I think he may sign but
he hasn't told me anything. I think he
will make a decision sometime early @
next week."
Though Michigan finished second
place in the conference, the team's five
draftees were the most in the Big Ten.
It was the most for the program since
five Wolverines were also selected in
2008.
"It's great to have five players draft-
ed for our program," Maloney said.
"That means that our guys are making
some improvements and that our guys
work hard. That means people are rec-
ognizing our program.
"I'm happy for the guys, because
this is their dream."
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