MLB Draft Preview For The Miami RedHawks
6/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 4, 2004
OXFORD, Ohio - Even though the 2004 baseball season is over for the Miami RedHawks, several current and future Red and White players are still active in the baseball world as the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draws near. The draft begins on Monday, June 7, at 1 p.m. and last for 50 rounds until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8.
The big name in this year's draft from the Miami RedHawks is junior first baseman Mike Ferris (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain). Ferris led the RedHawks this season with 21 home runs, 61 runs scored, 62 RBIs, a .755 slugging percentage and a .513 on-base percentage. He was an unanimous first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection at first base and was named the conference's East Division Player of the Week three times during the 2004 season.
Ferris has been ranked by Baseball America to fall anywhere from No. 14 overall in the draft to late first round, which would be the highest draft pick ever for a Miami baseball player. He has been ranked as the second-best power hitter and second-best strike-zone judgement among all college hitters. He is the only baseball player out of Ohio to be an expected first-round pick, however, right-handed pitcher Adam Russell from Ohio University could also sneak into the first round.
Junior catcher John Slone (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) is another possible draft prospect for the Red and White coming in at No. 16 among draft-eligible players from Ohio. Slone impressed scout's this spring with his offensive potential, leading the RedHawks with a .375 batting average and recording the MAC's fourth-longest hitting streak at 26 games. He also impressed scouts with his ability to block the plate and call a game, which is why he is one of the top players to watch from the state of Ohio.
The final installment in this year's watch list for the RedHawks is senior power pitcher Chad Reineke (Defiance, Ohio/Ayersville). Reineke had a significant increase in velocity this season as he recorded five saves for Miami in the closer's role. He allowed only nine of 25 inherited runners to score and is Ohio's 26th-ranked player in Monday's upcoming draft.
Several future Miami players also have been targeted by Baseball America in its draft coverage. Right-handed hurler Connor Graham (Bowling Green, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) is ranked seventh in the state of Ohio after being clocked at 92-93 mph in the fall. In Illinois, another future Miami pitcher in John Ely (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood) is ranked 29th by Baseball America.
Updated statistics for Mike Ferris and John Slone can be accessed via their website, SloneandFerris.com, while Reineke's statistics are updated on his individual bio. Draft coverage is available live on www.MLB.com while www.MURedHawks.com also will be continually updated with the status of the Miami RedHawks.