VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds pitching staff saw three of its members given the chance to continue their careers in pro baseball on Wednesday.
Sheldon McDonald and
Eric Brown were selected on the third and final day of the 2011 MLB Draft while
Brandon Kaye was signed as a non-drafted free agent after the draft.
McDonald, of Spruce Grove, Alta., was taken with the 999th overall pick (33rd round) by the Chicago Cubs while Brown went 1519th overall to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 50th and final round. UBC has now seen 15 players taken in the MLB Draft since the baseball program was resurrected in 1997.
Kaye was signed by the Blue Jays, the team that drafted him back in 2009. Instead of signing with the pro club at that time, Kaye decided to play two years with the T-Birds after pitching at Douglas College.
McDonald and Brown, both seniors, were key hurlers for the T-Birds during the 2011 season that saw UBC claim their third straight NAIA West title.
McDonald, who came to UBC for his final two years of eligibility, ranked first on the T-Birds with 1.46 ERA compiled over 11 appearances and 55.2 innings. He struck out 55 batters while walking only 13 en route to a 7-2 record. The power-throwing left-hander would have likely gone earlier in the draft had a mid-season injury not slowed him down.
"It's really good to see Sheldon get his opportunity. The second half of the season he battled with some health issues and you'd hate to see his career end with a bit of bad timing there. No one has ever doubted his stuff - he's got professional pitches with his fastball and slider. Hopefully he can get healthy and show the Cubs organization what he can do on the mound," said UBC head coach
Terry McKaig.
Brown was the workhorse of the 2011 T-Bird staff, throwing 83.1 innings over 14 games to match McDonald with a 7-2 record. Brown sat down 75 opposing hitters with only 19 free passes given up to go along with a very good 2.27 ERA.
"Eric is a real success story for our team. He's been one of the most consistent guys in our program ever and we're just really happy to see him get a chance. That's all these players are looking for. Eric put in his time and now he gets the opportunity to go out there and see if he can do it at the next level," said McKaig.
Brown and Kaye won't have to travel far for their first taste of minor league ball, as both players project to suit up with the Vancouver Canadians this summer. This past off-season the Canadians became the minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays after having previously been tied to the Oakland A's.
"The Toronto Blue Jays organization has really stepped up and shown that they are committed to baseball in Canada and specifically British Columbia. It will be a special opportunity for both those players to get out on the field in Vancouver," added McKaig.
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