Published: June 06, 2008 11:18 pm            

Running down a dream

Sam Houston State outfielders Stein, Verbick selected on day two of 2008 MLB Draft

Two of the guys who had a big hand in the rebuilding of the Sam Houston State baseball program will get a shot at the next level.

Outfielders Keith Stein and Bobby Verbick were selected on day two of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Friday afternoon. Stein went to the Detroit Tigers with the 21st pick of the 29th round (883 overall), while Verbick was nabbed by the San Diego Padres in round 30 (915 overall).

“I’m excited for them because they both deserve to get a shot at the next level,” Bearkats head coach Mark Johnson said Friday. “I hadn’t had a chance to talk with Keith, but I spoke with Bobby earlier and he is excited. This is a great opportunity and a well deserved one.

“I enjoyed being able to coach them, and they did a lot for this program. We are going to miss them.”

Stein and Verbick were key figures in a deadly offense that helped Sam Houston win back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament titles and earn berths to the NCAA regionals the past two seasons under Johnson.

Stein, who did a solid job in center field for the Kats, transferred from Texas A&M in 2007 and earned second-team All-SLC honors as a junior after leading SHSU in batting with a .404 average.

The former A&M Consolidated standout hit .355 this season and cranked 10 home runs, including a dramatic walkoff against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi that helped the Bearkats make it to the SLC tournament championship game. Stein earned first-team all-conference honors in 2008.

Verbick, who split time in the outfield and as a designated hitter, earned All-American honors as a junior in 2007 when he hit .370 with 23 doubles, 14 home runs and knocked in 81 RBIs. His average dropped to .343 this year, but he still belted 14 homers and drove in 58 runs on the way to being named first-team All-SLC for the second consecutive season.

“Any time a guy gets a chance to follow a dream, you have to be happy for them,” Johnson added. “Bobby and Keith have proven that they have the talent and work ethic to be great players. Again, we wish them the best.”

Two Sam Houston State signees were also selected in the draft Friday. Montgomery star Bobby Stone was picked in the 15th round (468 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks, 14 spots after the Oakland Athletics nabbed Nino Leyja from Houston Christian High School.

Stone had a solid senior year for the Bears at the plate and on the mound. The left-hander batted .408 with eight home runs, nine doubles and two triples. He finished the season with 20 RBIs and drew 18 walks.

Stone posted a 6-3 record with a microscopic 1.06 ERA as Montgomery’s ace pitcher. He struck out 78 hitters and only allowed 12 walks in 47 innings of work.

“I think there is a good chance that Bobby is going to come to Sam Houston,” Johnson said. “I talked with Bobby and his father and they were looking for a higher pick in the draft. I hope he comes because he is a talented player. He still has a chance to sign, but they were hoping to go higher.”

Leyja, on the other hand, might not make it to campus. Johnson said that the shortstop is likely to sign a contract with the A’s.

“Nino has had some trouble getting settled in academically,” Johnson said. “There is a good chance he is going to sign. I haven’t had the chance to talk with him, but I think he was hoping this was going to happen.

“Some people are better off going to college, but it isn’t for everybody.”



A talented Lion

Southeastern Louisiana junior left-hander Wade Miley was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 43rd-overall pick in the supplemental round of the MLB Draft on Thursday.

Miley is the 11th highest player to be selected in Southland Conference history. He is also the highest player drafted in league history since McNeese State’s Jacob Marceaux was taken No. 29 overall in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Florida Marlins.

Miley went 7-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 101.2 innings this season, leading the Lions and the SLC with 119 strikeouts, the second-highest single season total in school history and the sixth-best total in the nation in 2008.

        

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