MLB Draft Recap: Five Horizon League players Selected

June 9, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Five Horizon League players were selected in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Wright State University had three players drafted for the first time in school history, while Cleveland State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago each had one player selected.

Wright State junior first-baseman Jeremy Hamilton was the first League player to be drafted as he went in the fifth round (166th pick) to the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamilton, who selected as the 2008 Horizon League Player of the Year batted .410 on the year and led the circuit in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and walks.

Teammate and fellow junior Justin Parker went next as he was selected in the sixth round (198th pick) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. This past year, the WSU infielder hit .395 and drove in 53 RBIs.

Senior Ross Vagedes rounded out the WSU contingent as he was chosen in the 35th round (1,061st pick) by the Chicago Cubs. In his five seasons at Wright State, Vagedes saw time in the outfield and on the mound.

In 93.1 career innings of work, Vagedes posted a record of 5-5 and struck out 61 batters. At the plate, the Ohio native held a career batting average of .298, hit 15 home runs and drove in 81 runs.

UIC catcher junior Kevin Coddington was drafted in the 44th round (1,319th pick) by the Cincinnati Reds. In 2008, the Oregon native batted .300, drove in 30 runs and drew a team-best 27 walks. Coddington was also selected to 2008 Horizon League All-Tournament team.

Cleveland State junior pitcher Josh Hungerman was the last League player to be selected as he was taken in the 50th round (1,499th pick) by the Colorado Rockies. This past year, Hungerman went 5-3 with a 5.11 earned-run average.