Pirate trio selected in amateur MLB draft

Published in Sports on June 8, 2005 1:56 PM

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Coming off an appearance in the NCAA regionals at Arizona, three Pirates taken in draft.

GREENVILLE -- A trio of East Carolina University baseball players, Ricky Brooks, Billy Richardson and Mark Minicozzi, were selected on the first day of the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft Tuesday afternoon.

Brooks, a native of North Tonawanda, N.Y., was the 95th pick overall in the third round by the Chicago White Sox. He becomes the highest Pirate draft pick since Pat Watkins was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round, pick 32 overall, in the 1993 amateur draft.

The first-team All-Conference USA selection, which helped the Pirates to their seventh consecutive NCAA appearance last week, posted a 5-5 record with a team-best 3.46 ERA and 70 strikeouts. Brooks recorded a career-best 14 strikeouts and came within one out of pitching a no-hitter against instate rival Charlotte on March 26.

A month later Brooks tossed the first nine-inning no-hitter in C-USA history in a 3-0 win over Memphis and was named C-USA Pitcher of the Week, Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week and Pro-Line Cap National Pitcher of the Week. Against UNLV in the NCAA Tempe Regional, he pitched 81/3 innings giving up one run and five hits on his way to all-tournament honors.

The San Diego Padres took Richardson with the 428th pick of the 14th round. During his senior campaign, he belted four homeruns, collected 48 hits and scored 44 runs in 46 games with a .308 batting average.

In a 14-0 win over Navy, Richardson hit for the cycle and pitched one complete inning of relief allowing two hits with one strikeout. On the day, he finished 4-for-6 with three RBI and one run scored.

Minicozzi, who lead the Pirates with 48 RBI on the season, was taken in the 17th round by the San Francisco Giants. On the season he collected six homeruns, 70 hits and scored 42 runs in 54 games.

The second-team All C-USA performer as a junior made three appearances on the mound throwing 21/3 innings with three strikeouts. In the NCAA Tempe Regional, Minicozzi earned all-tournament honors after going 3-for-9 with one homerun and three RBI.

The draft continues today with rounds 19-50.

Courtesy

ECU Sports Information