Lehigh University Athletics
Cleveland Indians draft McBride in second round
6/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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The All-American becomes the first Lehigh player selected in the draft since lefty pitcher Jack Lyons was drafted out of high school in 2002.
“I am so excited and so relieved,” said McBride, who has been named an All-American by both the College Baseball Foundation as well as by Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball News in 2006. “Playing [professional] baseball has always been my dream, and now I’ll get that chance.”
McBride was the third catcher taken in Tuesday’s draft, and he was the first collegiate catcher to be selected. He was taken as the 75th pick overall, as a supplemental pick towards the conclusion of the second round.
The political science major is currently 30 credits shy of graduating, and will put the completion of his degree on hold while he pursues this opportunity.
“I definitely still plan on finishing my degree over the next off-season or two,” he assured family members, teammates, and friends gathered at his Bethlehem-area home, listening to coverage of the draft on Major League Baseball’s web site.
“We’re just elated for Matty to have this opportunity,” said Lehigh head coach Sean Leary, whose team just returned less than 48 hours prior from competing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. “He is a terrific kid with an incredible work ethic, and yet despite all of his success, he has remained humble throughout this process.”
McBride and his father, George sat in the back yard, while others huddled around the computer, watching each pick go by. About 75 minutes after the draft got underway, McBride’s cell phone began to ring. He spoke with a couple of teams, but in the end, the Cleveland Indians called his name.
McBride could have a deal signed as early as Wednesday, and it is quite possible that he will be assigned to a team within the Indians organization and be on the road before the end of the week.
Tuesday’s draft capped off a memorable season for McBride, in which he set numerous Lehigh and Patriot League records. He became the first Mountain Hawks player to win the Patriot League Triple Crown by hitting .417 with 12 home runs (matching a school and league mark) and driving in 61 runs – also a Lehigh record. His 88 hits in 2006 are a single season Patriot League mark, and he leaves Lehigh in second place all-time, with 198 career hits. McBride registered a .989 fielding percentage this year, and stole a team-high 22 bases in 27 attempts.
McBride also helped lead the Mountain Hawks to their first ever Patriot League tournament title, and the first NCAA berth in school history.
McBride’s selection as the 75th pick is the highest a Lehigh player has ever been selected in the draft. McBride also becomes the highest draft pick in Patriot League baseball history. He is the first player drafted out of Lehigh since third baseman Ben Talbott was taken in the 32nd round of the 1997 draft by the Anaheim Angels.
Lehigh in the Major League Baseball draft
|
Year |
Player |
Position |
Team |
|
1971 |
Rich Revta |
C |
|
|
1973 |
Frank Zawatski |
C |
|
|
1975 |
Paul Hartzell |
P |
|
|
1976 |
Joe Carroll |
OF |
|
|
1989 |
Dave Norwood |
P |
|
|
1997 |
Ben Talbott |
3B |
|
|
2002 |
Jack Lyons* |
P |
|
|
2006 |
C |
|
*drafted out of high school prior to enrolling at Lehigh, but did not sign and came to LU
