University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Baseball In The Pros
06/16/2004 | Baseball
June 16, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The University of Richmond baseball program has had 22 players selected in the last eight major league drafts. 10 of those athletes are currently active in the professional ranks. The four chosen in last week's draft, Jim Fasano, Thomas Martin, Bobby LeNoir and Tim Rice, have not signed or been assigned to a club at this point.
A 1995 second round draft choice by the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sean Casey is second in the majors with a .363 batting average, trailing only Barry Bonds (.370). Casey is also tied for first in the majors with 90 hits. Brian Jordan, of the Texas Rangers, is currently on the disabled list.
Tim Stauffer was the fourth overall selection in last June's draft, Richmond's highest-ever, by the San Diego Padres and is breezing through the minors. The right-hander began the spring with the Lake Elsinore Storm, a single-A California affiliate of the Padres, where he posted a 2-0 record. He was then moved up to his current team, the Mobile Bay Bears, a double-A Southern League affiliate. Stauffer has started seven contests and posts a 3-1 record and a 1.47 ERA. He has only allowed one earned run in his past 22.0 innings.
Also selected in the 1995 draft by the Cleveland Indians was outfielder Mark Budzinski. The left-hander was taken in the 23rd round and is currently playing with the Scanton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, a triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team is 40-24 record and Budzinski leads the squad with 38 runs and is second with 57 hits.
One of the program-record five chosen in 2003 is outfielder Vito Chiaravalloti. Selected in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, he is currently active with the Dunedin Blue Jays, a single-A affiliate of Toronto. After winning the New York/Penn League Triple Crown last spring, Chiaravalloti has played in all 61 contests and is second on the team with 62 hits and 37 RBI this year.
The lone Spider selection in 2002 was shortstop Matt Craig, taken by the Chicago Cubs in the third round. The switch-hitter is currently playing with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, a double-A Southern League affiliate of the Cubs. Craig has appeared in 41 games, holds a .315 batting average and is third on the team with 29 RBI.
Nic Jackson was also chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the third round, during the 2000 draft. Currently playing with the Daytona Cubs, a single-A affiliate of Chicago, the outfielder has played in 13 games and registers a .340 batting average, including 16 hits.
One of two Richmond selections during the 1997 draft, Justin Lamber went to the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round. The left-hander is currently playing with an Independent League team--the Long Island Ducks. He has pitched 18.2 innings and posts a 3-1 record.
A 2003 draft choice by the Oakland A's in the eighth round was right-hander Mike McGirr. Currently playing with single-A Kane County Cougars, he has pitched 10.2 innings, recording a 2.53 ERA and has struck out 17 batters.
Shortstop David Reaver was taken in the 10th round by the New York Mets in 2003 and is currently playing with the Capital City Bombers, a single-A South Atlantic affiliate of the Mets. Reaver began the spring with the St. Lucie Mets before moving to the Bombers. He has appeared in 24 games between the two squads and totaled 19 hits and 10 runs.
A fifth round choice by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000, Mike Smith is currently playing with the Syracuse Sky Chiefs (triple-A). The right-hander has appeared in 20 contests and posts a 3-2 record, including a 4.13 ERA.
