Posted by basebal5 on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:12 am

Florida Marlins

 

The Florida Marlins today announced they selected five players on the first day of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft. Among the five players selected were one pitcher, one catcher, one infielder and two outfielders. The announcement was made by Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development and Scouting Jim Fleming.

 

“We had a very good first day of the Draft. It was a little out of character for us to take position players with our first four picks, but these are all players that we really liked,” said Fleming. “These four hitters are a great fit with our system, which is in need of additional offense. And, [Steven] Cishek gives us another quality arm.”

 

The Marlins selected third baseman Matt Dominguez, 17, in the first round (12th overall pick) of the Draft. He graduated from Chatsworth High School in Southern California, where he batted .447 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI as a senior. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder was a four-time All-City selection in high school, and as a senior led his team en route to winning the 2007 Los Angeles City Championship. He was also a member of the 2006 USA Junior National Team that won the Gold Medal in Cuba. Dominguez was an All-American and All-State player in high school, and as a freshman he was named the National Rookie of the Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. He set the California state record for a freshman with

65 RBI in 2004.

 

“We’re excited about Matt. He’s a very polished, complete high school player that has additional ceiling,” said Fleming. “Matt has performed at a high level in high school and at the international level, and shows all of the attributes we look for.”

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

 

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have selected left-handed pitcher Daniel Moskos with the fourth overall pick in the annual first-year player draft.  The announcement was made by Ed Creech, Pirates Senior Director of Scouting.

 

Moskos, 21, has gone 3-5 with a 2.91 ERA (74.1ip/24er) and 74 strikeouts in 26 games (nine starts) as a junior this year at Clemson University, who is scheduled to play Mississippi State in the NCAA Super Regionals this Friday at noon (EDT).   He was ranked by Baseball America as the fifth-best pitcher available in the draft. 

 

“Daniel is a proven left-handed pitcher with quality pitches,” said Creech. “We see him helping our major league staff in the near future.”

 

“Daniel is an accomplished college pitcher who has had an impressive career at Clemson,” said Dave Littlefield, Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager.  “He’s got an excellent repertoire of pitches that will enable him to be a fine major league pitcher.”

 

Milwaukee Brewers

 

The Milwaukee Brewers selected LF/1B Matt LaPorta with the 7th overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, it was announced by Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting, Jack Zduriencik. 

 

LaPorta, a senior at the University of Florida, is a two-time SEC Player of the Year (2007 and 2005).  This past season, he his .402 with 20 home runs, 52 RBI and 55 walks.  He was a member of the 2005 USA Baseball National Team and was recently named a finalist for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award given to the nation’s premier amateur baseball player.  

 

“We are happy to have secured the rights to one of the top college power hitters in the country,” said Zduriencik. “Matt has had a solid college career and is certainly ready for his next challenge. He has a unique opportunity to eventually contribute to a young and talented Major League team that could be together a long time.”