Four Spartans Selected Early in Second Day of MLB Draft

TAMPA, Fla. - Following the fifth round selection of Jonathan Holt yesterday, The University of Tampa had four more players chosen in the first 20 rounds of the first year MLB Draft. Scott Leffler, Craig Corrado, Roberto Mena and Ryan Kennedy were each taken to give UT five selections to tie a school record from last season for the most picks.

Leffler was the first Spartan taken off the board in day two as he was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth round with pick number 265. Corrado was then selected by the Houston Astros in round 14 at pick 441. Mena and Kennedy were each taken in the 19th round with Mena heading to the Seattle Mariners at pick 585 and Kennedy to the Los Angeles Angels at number 598.

Leffler, a right handed pitcher from St. Petersburg, Fla., recorded a 4-0 record as a reliever in his first full seaqson as a pitcher after converting from catcher. He registered a 4.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched.

Corrado, an outfielder from Tampa, led UT with a .420 batting average this season and set a single-season school record with 113 hits. He also had 10 home runs and 63 RBI while starting all 63 games for the Spartans. Tampa's lone first-team All-American, Corrado also led the team with 25 doubles and 73 runs scored.

Mena, a shortstop from Rio Grande, P.R., hit .341 while starting all 63 games at short. His 14 home runs tied a team high as he drove in a team high 65 runs.

Kennedy, a second baseman from Bradenton, Fla., hit .387 with 13 homers and 63 RBI. He also started all 63 games and led the team with a .485 on-base percentage. He also had a .976 fielding percentage at second.