Now that the 2007 Major League Baseball draft is over, four N.C. State players have been given the opportunity to play at the next level. Senior Staff Writer Langdon Morris takes a look at the four players drafted by major-league clubs and analyzes the immediate outlook for the Pack draftees.
Andrew Brackman
Right-Handed Pitcher
6-11 Junior
Selected: Round 1, Pick 30 New York Yankees
Career Stats:
11-7 record overall
3.80 ERA
149 strikeouts in 149.1 innings
2007 Stats:
6-4 record
3.81 ERA
74 strikeouts
78 innings pitched
Team-high 37 walks
The Lowdown:
Brackman was projected to go higher in the draft at the beginning of the season; however, he did not pitch after May 12 due to an elbow injury to his right arm, which hurt his draft stock. Still, Brackman became the second Wolfpack player to be drafted in the first round (Joey Devine was taken by the Braves in the first round in 2005), and he has all of the tools and mechanics to make him a great MLB pitcher. The money the Yankees can offer (and his agent Scott Boras can get) will guarantee what everyone already knows about first-round picks: an end to their college careers.
Eryk McConnell
Right-Handed Pitcher
6-1 Redshirt Junior
Selected: Round 10, Pick 309 Baltimore Orioles
2007 Stats:
11 saves in 13 attempts
3-2 record as a starter
1.72 ERA
Allowed 43 hits, 11 walks
35 strikeouts
52.1 innings pitched
The Lowdown:
McConnell showed his capabilities as a closer this season with 11 saves in 13 attempts, also boasting the lowest ERA on the team. He may need some work to become a force as a starter at the next level; however, he has shown plenty of potential. Having been picked so early in this year’s draft, a return to State for his senior season is unlikely for the redshirt junior.
Caleb Mangum
Catcher
5-11 Senior
Selected: Round 24, pick 743 Philadelphia Phillies
2007 Stats:
.285 batting average
36 runs, 8 HR
63 hits
Team-leading 48 RBIs
.993 Field %
The Lowdown: According to Assistant Media Relations Director Bruce Winkworth, Mangum has already signed with Philadelphia, as he has exhausted all four years of his athletic eligibility. Mangum will likely be a work-in-progress at the next level.
Ramon Corona
Second Baseman
5-11 Junior
Selected: Round 26, pick 794 San Francisco Giants
2007 Stats:
.293 batting average
42 runs, 3 HR
65 hits
Team-high 15 doubles
39 RBIs
.956 Field percentage
Team-high 12 errors
Team-high 51 strike outs
The Lowdown:
Had Corona been eligible for the draft a year ago, he would have gone much higher. In his sophomore season, Corona was a third team All-American and a star for the Wolfpack. Though he came on late this season, his lackluster start to the season unfortunately hurt his draft stock. Likely the best choice for Corona would be to return to State for his senior season to regain the reputation he received as a sophomore for consistent batting and solid fielding.
