Pro draft selects Lund, Rucker and pair of signees

PROVO, Utah--All-West Coast Conference first-teamers Brennon Lund and Michael Rucker were both selected in the 11th round of the Major League pro draft on Saturday.

Lund was the 336th pick in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Angels.  Rucker was the 344th pick in the same round by the Chicago Cubs.

"I think I speak for the entire BYU baseball family when I say how happy I am for Brennon and Mike for reaching the next level of their respective baseball careers," BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. "Early June is always exciting for quality baseball programs as they have potential MLB draftees. I have always viewed having players drafted from our program as a positive. It creates excitement and shows potential recruits that they will go to a program that will develop them and get them ready for the next level.

"Someone will now have the opportunity to step in and try to fill the shoes of Mike and Brennon."

The 5-foot-10 junior centerfielder from South Jordan, Utah, led BYU with a .387 batting average which hovered over .400 several times this past season. Lund was honored as WCC Player of the Week against Saint Louis and Santa Clara.

Rucker was selected as a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine. Rucker was Rawlings WCC Pitcher of the Week twice this past season against Samford and Niagara.The 6-foot-1 junior right-handed pitcher from Lake Tapps, Washington, led BYU with an 11-1 win-loss record, a  2.73 earned run average, 94 strikeouts and 102.1 innings pitched.

November signees Payton Henry and DC Clawson, both catchers, were also selected in the pro draft.  Henry was picked in the sixth round by the Milwaukee Brewers.  Clawson was picked in the 34th round by the New York Yankees.

"I'm also happy for two of our incoming freshmen Payton Henry and DC Clawson as they were drafted last weekend,"  Littlewood said. "They have great choices in front of them but obviously we hope they show up on campus in the fall and become part of the Cougar family."