Two More RedHawks Taken By National League Teams
6/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 8, 2004
OXFORD, Ohio - Two more Miami baseball players were selected in the later rounds of day one of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft on Monday afternoon. Senior Chad Reineke (Defiance, Ohio/Ayersville) was taken by the Houston Astros in the 13th round and junior catcher John Slone (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) followed with a 15th-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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 was Ohio's 26th-ranked player heading into the draft. Reineke was drafted by the Astros with the 394th overall pick and 23rd of the 13th round yesterday evening.
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 was one of the top players to watch from the state of Ohio. He was one of four unanimous selections to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team and was the 442nd overall pick in yesterday's draft.
Reineke and Slone join junior first baseman Mike Ferris (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) as the only three RedHawks to be drafted on day one of the draft. Ferris became the highest-drafted player ever from Miami when the St. Louis Cardinals took him 60th overall in the second round.
Updated statistics for Mike Ferris and junior catcher 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 update with the status of the Miami RedHawks.