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Press Releases
Three from ASC Taken in First-Year Player Draft
Jun 08, 2007
Press Release posted by American Southwest Conference Permalink
RICHARDSON, Texas –– The University of Texas at Tyler’s Nathan Jennings and Brett Amyx, and Texas Lutheran University’s Jacob Kaase composed the record-number of players from the American Southwest Conference selected in Major League Baseball’s 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
It was the first time the NCAA Division III ASC had more than two players taken in an MLB draft, and junior right-handed pitcher Jennings was the highest-ever selection, going in the 15th round (475 overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays. Junior shortstop Kaase was a 23rd round pick (710 overall) by the Texas Rangers, while senior first baseman Amyx was grabbed by the Kansas City Royals in the 30th round (906 overall) – giving the ASC three of the first 10 D-III players selected.
Jennings (Granbury, Texas / GHS), who was the fourth D-III player to go, was named ASC East Division Pitcher of the Year after going 2-0 with four saves and no runs allowed in 22 2/3 innings that spanned 17 appearances. The 6-foot, 170-pounder struck out 43 batters and walked just four to lead the Patriots to a 37-1 record and the East Division title.
Kaase (Austin, Texas / Manor HS), who was voted ASC West Division Co-Player of the Year and received all-American recognition, batted .422 with 15 doubles and 56 RBI. The 6-1, 185-pound infielder struck out only seven times in 192 at-bats and helped guide the Bulldogs to their third straight ASC championship and third straight appearance in an NCAA regional.
Amyx (Coppell, Texas / Cowley JC), a 6-5, 220-pound first team ASC All-East selection and all-American, was selected for the second time. He was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 36th round coming out of high school. This season for the Patriots, he posted an ASC-record 66 RBI while batting .348 and slugging .742 with 12 home runs.
Previous draft selections from ASC members were McMurry first baseman Josh Lee (30th round, Detroit Tigers) and Texas-Dallas right-handed pitcher Anthony Adler (46th round, Houston Astros) in 2004, and Louisiana College right-handed pitcher Scott Sumner in 2005 (20th round, Cleveland Indians).
ALL-TIME MLB DRAFT PICKS FROM AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEMBERS
Year Name Pos. ASC Team MLB Club Round/Pick
2007 Nathan Jennings RHP Texas-Tyler Blue Jays 15/475
2007 Jacob Kaase SS Texas Lutheran Rangers 23/710
2007 Brett Amyx 1B Texas-Tyler Royals 30/906
2005 Scott Sumner RHP La. College Indians 20/604
2004 Josh Lee 1B McMurry Tigers 30/883
2004 Anthony Adler RHP Texas-Dallas Astros 46/1379
It was the first time the NCAA Division III ASC had more than two players taken in an MLB draft, and junior right-handed pitcher Jennings was the highest-ever selection, going in the 15th round (475 overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays. Junior shortstop Kaase was a 23rd round pick (710 overall) by the Texas Rangers, while senior first baseman Amyx was grabbed by the Kansas City Royals in the 30th round (906 overall) – giving the ASC three of the first 10 D-III players selected.
Jennings (Granbury, Texas / GHS), who was the fourth D-III player to go, was named ASC East Division Pitcher of the Year after going 2-0 with four saves and no runs allowed in 22 2/3 innings that spanned 17 appearances. The 6-foot, 170-pounder struck out 43 batters and walked just four to lead the Patriots to a 37-1 record and the East Division title.
Kaase (Austin, Texas / Manor HS), who was voted ASC West Division Co-Player of the Year and received all-American recognition, batted .422 with 15 doubles and 56 RBI. The 6-1, 185-pound infielder struck out only seven times in 192 at-bats and helped guide the Bulldogs to their third straight ASC championship and third straight appearance in an NCAA regional.
Amyx (Coppell, Texas / Cowley JC), a 6-5, 220-pound first team ASC All-East selection and all-American, was selected for the second time. He was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 36th round coming out of high school. This season for the Patriots, he posted an ASC-record 66 RBI while batting .348 and slugging .742 with 12 home runs.
Previous draft selections from ASC members were McMurry first baseman Josh Lee (30th round, Detroit Tigers) and Texas-Dallas right-handed pitcher Anthony Adler (46th round, Houston Astros) in 2004, and Louisiana College right-handed pitcher Scott Sumner in 2005 (20th round, Cleveland Indians).
ALL-TIME MLB DRAFT PICKS FROM AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEMBERS
Year Name Pos. ASC Team MLB Club Round/Pick
2007 Nathan Jennings RHP Texas-Tyler Blue Jays 15/475
2007 Jacob Kaase SS Texas Lutheran Rangers 23/710
2007 Brett Amyx 1B Texas-Tyler Royals 30/906
2005 Scott Sumner RHP La. College Indians 20/604
2004 Josh Lee 1B McMurry Tigers 30/883
2004 Anthony Adler RHP Texas-Dallas Astros 46/1379