Five Bears selected in 2008 Major League Baseball draft

For the 18th straight season, Major League Baseball has dipped into the Baylor baseball program to select players in the annual First-Year Player Draft. Five Bears were drafted this season, led by junior shortstop Beamer Weems, who went in the eighth round to the San Diego Padres with the 255th overall pick.

The other Baylor players selected were all pitchers: Mace Thurman (Cincinnati Reds, 17th round), Tim Matthews (Colorado Rockies, 27th round), Randall Linebaugh (Reds, 37th round) and Nick Cassavechia (Detroit Tigers, 37th round).

Weems and Thurman could return to Baylor for another year if they do not sign pro contracts; the other three Bears each completed their eligibility this spring. In head coach Steve Smith’s 14 seasons at Baylor, he has seen 57 of his players drafted a total of 65 times (juniors who do not sign can be drafted again as seniors). Four Baylor alums are currently playing in the big leagues: David Murphy and Jason Jennings for the Texas Rangers, Kip Wells with the Colorado Rockies and Kelly Shoppach with the Cleveland Indians.

Sic ’em, Baylor baseball!