A day after seeing Victoria native and former Generals pitcher Roman Madrid selected in the 7th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres, the Generals heard four more names called on Wednesday afternoon who have current or former ties to the Generals organization.
Former Generals third baseman Ryan Dalton of the University of Texas – San Antonio was selected in the 18th round by the Los Angeles Angels. Dalton joined the Generals mid-season last summer and quickly became a force in the Texas Collegiate League. Dalton hit .288 on the season with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 18 RBIs, 23 walks, and 26 runs scored. Dalton was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection this year.
Current Generals third baseman Rudy Flores from Florida International University was taken in the 21st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Flores is already off to a hot start for the Generals this summer as he is currently 6-for-21 on the season with a double and two runs scored through five games. Flores took a medical redshirt this year at FIU after fracturing his jaw.
Starting pitcher Jordan Harrison was the next General off the board. Harrison, a left-handed pitcher from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette, was taken by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 25th round. It was the second time that Harrison has heard his name called on draft day. He was selected in the 30th round by the New York Mets out of high school back in 2009. Harrison made his first start of the season for the Generals back on Monday night. He pitched six innings and allowed just one run on two hits while striking out six batters. Harrison also pitched for the Generals back in 2010, making 13 appearances and posting 4-1 record with a 1.42 ERA. He struck out 17 batters in 19 innings.
Generals’ signee M.P. Cokinos from St. Mary’s University was the last player with Generals ties selected in the 2012 MLB draft. Cokinos was selected in the 31st round by his hometown team, the Houston Astros. St. Mary’s was recently eliminated from the NCAA Division II College World Series. Due to St. Mary’s post-season success, Cokinos has not yet made it to Victoria to begin playing for the team this summer. He is expected to report early next week. Cokinos was a First-Team All-Heartland Conference selection, a Heartland Conference Gold Glove Team selection, and was also named the MVP of the South Central Regional
The Generals have now seen 16 current and former players selected in the Major League Baseball draft over the course of the past four years.
The Generals are currently 3-2 on the season and take on the Woodlands Strykers tonight at 7:05pm at The Woodlands Christian Academy. The Generals return home on Thursday night to host the McKinney Marshals at 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium in Victoria.
Thursday night is the Generals first Thirsty Thursday of the season. Draft beer will be $1 all night long on the 100.5 The Ranch Party Deck. Thursday night is also VC Appreciation Night and Little League Night. All students, faculty, and staff that show a Victoria College ID card at the gate will receive half price tickets. All little league players in uniform will get in for free.
Video from Crossroads Today: http://crossroadstoday.com/pages/13353234.php?
