Mariners draft Gonzaga pitcher Olson
The Seattle Mariners followed the lead of the St. Louis Cardinals and drafted a left-handed pitcher from Gonzaga.
West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Tyler Olson went to the Mariners in the seventh round Friday, during the second of three days of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
The Cardinals took GU junior lefty Marco Gonzales in the first round Thursday, with the 19th overall pick.
Olson (University High), a redshirt senior, went 9-4 for the Bulldogs this season, with a 2.48 earned-run average in 101 2/3 innings. He led GU in wins, ERA and complete games (five).
Olson was drafted in the 17th round by the Oakland Athletics last season but opted to return to GU for a fifth season.
“We were excited when he decided to return to us and fulfill his goal of winning a WCC championship,” GU coach Mark Machtolf said. “With that goal realized, he bolstered his draft stock and this is a great accomplishment for a local guy. We wish him the best of luck with the Mariners.”
Olson went 4-0 with a 0.52 ERA in April, including a 19-inning scoreless streak.
Washington State junior Jason Monda was selected in the sixth round as an outfielder by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Monda, of Olympia, also spent time at first base, designated hitter and pitcher for the Cougars.
Monda hit .294 with a team-best 40 runs batted in and seven home runs, which tied for the club lead.
Monda becomes the eighth WSU player drafted by the Phillies.
The Texas Rangers drafted eight players during the second day, the majority of whom are strong candidates to play for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League.
Texas began the day by taking right-handed pitcher David Ledbetter of Division II Cedarville (Ohio) University in the third round.
Ledbetter led Division II this season by averaging 13.65 strikeouts per nine innings. He finished 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA.
Ledbetter is the first player drafted from Cedarville since 1987, but that could change today. His twin brother, Ryan, is a draft prospect.
The Rangers took 18-year-old shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa of Mid-Pacific (Hawaii) Institute in the fourth round. The San Jose State recruit said he plans to sign this weekend and report to the Arizona Rookie League on Friday or next Saturday.
Texas also selected catcher Joe Jackson, The Citadel, fifth round; right-hander Sam Wolff, New Mexico, sixth; right-hander Nick Gardewine, Kaskaskia (Ill.) CC, seventh; second baseman Evan Van Hoosier, College of Southern Nevada, eighth; right-hander Jose Samayoa, Lee (Tenn.) University, ninth; and right-hander Cole Wiper, Oregon, 10th.
Spokane’s season begins Friday at home against Everett.
The Rangers’ second choice in Thursday’s draft was incorrectly listed in Friday’s edition. Texas chose third baseman/shortstop Travis Demeritte of Winder Barrow (Ga.) High in the first round, with the 30th overall pick.