Draft roundup: Torcise goes in 47th to Reds

Further proof that good lefties are hard to find: USF reliever David Torcise, who posted an 8.36 ERA in 14 innings as a senior, was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 47th round of Friday's baseball draft, the third Bulls player taken and the first senior.

Torcise, who started his college career at Duke and played a season at Louisville before following coach Lelo Prado to USF, had a 4.38 ERA with the Cardinals in 2006. He joins juniors Daniel Thomas (13th round, Athletics) and Addison Maruszak (17th, Yankees) as 2008 Bulls who were drafted.

Six of USF's 11 signees were also drafted, though only three were taken high enough that they'd be considered a serious threat to choose a pro contract over college. Catcher Adrian Nieto (5th), left-hander Anthony Ferrara (7th) and outfielder/pitcher Corey Thomas (13th) will have difficult decisions ahead, while third baseman Sean Buckley (29th), pitcher/outfielder Alex Mendez (38th) and shortstop Sam Mende (40th) must also decide between the pros and the Bulls.

And just as a curiosity, the Reds used their next-to-last pick, in the 49th round, to select West Virginia quarterback Pat White, who was a high-round pick out of high school before choosing to play college football. Cincinnati has until Aug. 15 to sign White ...

Comments

[Dave W]

Keith Law mentions Nieto in his blog: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3429315&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dlaw_keith%26id%3d3429315

Long link, but that's because its free ESPN Insider stuff. I wonder if that is potentially good news for us...