UBC Thunderbird pitcher
Curtis Taylor has been drafted in the 2016 Major League Baseball Entry Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Taylor was selected in the 4th round, 119th overall. He is the second highest selection of a UBC Thunderbird into Major League Baseball ever.
"There is nothing to explain what's going on in my head right now," said Taylor mere minutes after being selected. "This is the happiest I've ever been in my life."
Taylor's father, Wes Taylor, choked back tears when asked to describe what it was like watching his son be selected by the Diamondbacks. "People say it's like a dream come true. It's literally like a dream come true."
About ninety minutes later Taylor's teammate and fellow right handed pitcher
Alex Webb got the phone call he had been eagerly anticipating all day. Webb was selected 258th overall in the 9th round by the Cincinnati Reds' organization. It was actually the second time the White Rock, B.C. native had been drafted. In 2015 Webb was selected in the 36th round by the San Diego Padres organization. He chose to play his senior season at UBC and re-enter the MLB draft in 2016. Webb made the right choice.Â
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"I'm really excited to be part of the Reds' organization," said Webb, still hugging his mother Darlene. "It was my goal this year to be selected in the top ten rounds and that's what happened."
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Darlene Webb had been watching the stressful draft process unfold in her kitchen for most of the day. She expressed both joy and relief. "It was a little nerve-racking to be honest," she admitted. "But I'm super proud of Alex. It's been a long road and I'm very grateful and thankful to everyone who helped him along the way."
A historic day for UBC baseball.
