Seven CofC Players, Two 2008 Signees Selected In MLB Draft
6/8/2007 4:00:00 AM | Baseball
College of Charleston shortstop Oliver Marmol was the first player selected from the Southern Conference in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft on Friday. Teammates Alex Garabedian, Nick Chigges, Brian Schlitter, Michael Bunton, Ben Lasater and Michael Harrington were also drafted.
The seven CofC selections mark the most in school history. Charleston, which has had 15 players drafted over the past three seasons, had five selected in 2005.
Marmol, a junior, was the sixth round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals and the 202nd pick overall. Marmol (5-11, 170, Jr., Orlando, Fla.) played in 56 games and was named first team All-SoCon. He led the league with 84 runs scored. He batted .345 with seven homers, 45 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 34 attempts.
Garabedian, a junior catcher from Sunrise, Fla, was drafted in the 8th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers and was the 266th pick over. Garabedian (6-2, 220) hit .353 with 13 homers and 58 RBI. Garabedian, who earned All-SoCon honors, threw out over 40 percent of attempted base stealers.
Right-handed pitcher Nick Chigges (6-0, 197, Sr.) was taken in the 13th round by the New York Yankees, the 424th overall selection. Chigges, the 2006 and 2007 SoCon Pitcher of the Year, finished with an 11-1 record and a 3.52 ERA this past season. The Columbia, S.C. native struck out 112 in 107.1 innings pitched and was named a third-team All-American by Louisville Slugger.
Right-handed pitcher Brian Schlitter (6-6, 230, Jr.) from Chicago was drafted in the 16th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, the 503rd overall pick. Schlitter was 5-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 2007. He struck out 43 in 52.2 innings of work.
Left-handed pitcher Michael Bunton (6-4, 210, Tallahassee, Fla., Jr.) was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 26th round, the 787th overall selection. Bunton went 4-2 with a 6.72 ERA in 2007. He struck out 47 in 65.2 innings of work.
Third baseman Ben Lasater was drafted in the 29th round by the Florida Marlins, the 886th pick overall. Lasater (6-3, 205, Las Vegas, Nev., Sr.) played in 50 games and hit .350 with a team-leading 15 homers and 54 RBI.
Left-fielder Michael Harrington (6-1, 195, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jr.) was selected in the 38th round by the Baltimore Orioles, the 1,140 pick overall. Harrington hit .364 with 13 homers and 66 RBI over 58 games.
Also, Charleston signees RHP Tim Sexton (6-6, 190) from Miami-Dade Community College was drafted by Dodgers in the 25th round and left-handed pitcher Austin Garrett (6-0, 185) from Pensacola Junior College was taken by the Diamondbacks in the 27th round.
The Cougars posted a 39-19 overall record and a 20-7 league mark this season. The Cougars claimed their third SoCon regular season title in four years, and their fourth consecutive SoCon title overall. CofC also won the 2004 and 2005 regular season titles and the 2006 SoCon Tournament championship.
The Cougars also had three players taken in the 2006 draft and five in 2005. Here's a look at the last three drafts concerning CofC players:
2007 ? SS Oliver Marmol (Cardinals, 6th round), C Alex Garabedian (Dodgers, 8th), RHP Nick Chigges (Yankees, 13th), RHP Brian Schlitter (Phillies, 16th), LHP Michael Bunton (Cubs, 26th), 3B Ben Lasater (Marlins, 29th), Michael Harrington (Orioles, 38th).
2006 ? RHP Josh McLaughlin (20th, A's), CF Larry Cobb (27th, A's), RHP Graham Godfrey (Blue Jays, 34th).
2005 ? CF Brett Gardner (Yankees, 3rd), RHP Brett Harker (Phillies, 5th), LHP Ryan Edell (Indians, 8th), 1B D.J. Wabick (Mets, 25th), LHP Reid Price (Cardinals, 29th).
