BASEBALL: Three players from MAC champs selected in MLB draft

Left-hander Snyder highest selection, taken in fourth round

Four players on the Ball State University baseball team will take the next step towards the big leagues.

Pitcher Ben Snyder, first baseman Brad Miller and center fielder Mike Sullivan were drafted in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The San Francisco Giants took Snyder in the fourth round (116th overall), the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Miller in the 18th round (537th overall) and the Detroit Tigers took Sullivan in the 31st round (922nd overall).

Catcher Matt Singleton signed with the Oakland Athletics shortly after Sunday's 12-9 loss to the University of Kentucky in the NCAA Regional. The A's drafted Singleton in the 33rd round in 2005, but he chose to stay at Ball State.

For the program it absolutely is big," coach Greg Beals said. "It's something we can use and talk about in our recruiting process. It validates the fact that Ball State has been known to and is continue to prove to be a place where kids can come to school and get an opportunity to play baseball at the next level."

BEN SNYDER

Snyder was 8-5 on the year with a 4.45 ERA. In 109.1 innings of work, the sophomore left-hander struck out 108 batters. He raised his stock significantly in his last two starts of the year. In the opening game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, he went the distance, striking out 10 as Ball State defeated Western Michigan University 6-2.

In the first round of the NCAA Regional, he held a high-powered Kentucky offense to only four hits and one run in eight innings in a 3-1 Cardinal victory.

"Those last few starts put a little nail in the coffin," said Snyder of the possibility of being drafted high. "I was able to pitch on a stage and a crowd like that and thrive in an atmosphere like that."

Snyder is expected to leave Ball State and sign with the Giants. The signing bonus designated for a fourth-round pick is between $260,000 and $280,000, Snyder said.

"I was actually happy for it to be over," Snyder said. "It's been a long process. It was a little nerve racking and crazy. It was a big relief. The family was excited and emotions were running high."

Snyder's brother, Brad, a former Ball State Cardinal, was a first round pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2003.

BRAD MILLER

Miller holds career records at Ball State for home runs (50), RBIs (228), hits (304) and games started (227). He had a monster senior year, hitting 21 home runs and recording 76 RBIs to go along with a .335 batting average. Miller made also a First Team All-MAC selection in 2006. In 2004, the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 49th round of the draft, but he chose to stay at Ball State.

"I'm really happy for Brad," Beals said. "He has had a great college career. I'm glad he's getting an opportunity to go out and play at the professional level"

Miller will either head to Washington or Montana to start rookie ball in a few weeks after he signs his contract. He said the Diamondbacks were the team that showed the most interest.

"I had talked to them previously," Miller said. "I didn't know for a fact that they were going to pick me. The scout said, 'You're the number one first baseman for us and I'm really trying to pull for you [to be drafted].'"

MIKE SULLIVAN

Sullivan hit .326 on the year, with 40 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He is Ball State's career leader in runs scored (205) and at-bats (901).

The draft process was an interesting one for the center fielder. The Kansas City Royals called him during the 15th round and asked if he was ready to sign.

Sullivan said yes, and the Royals then said they were going to take him in the next few rounds. Oddly enough, the Royals never took him. Regardless, Sullivan is now heading to the Tigers organization.

"I had no idea the Tigers were going to draft me," he said. "It feels good. I was just waiting around, hoping to get the call and it finally happened. It was pretty exciting."-á

Sullivan was the 42nd Ball State baseball player to be drafted in the program's history.

MATT SINGLETON

Singleton, who was BSU's starting catcher for the past three seasons, had a career bating average of .291. His best season average-wise was in 2004, when he batted .305.

When a team drafts a player it retains the players' rights up the night before the next draft, and Singleton decided to sign with the A's rather than take a chance and not get drafted.

"I think Matt felt a little loyalty to [the A's]" Beals said. "They stuck their neck out and selected him last year. They were willing to stand by and wait for him to finish his college career. You are never sure what happens in the draft. it was a sure bet and he went with the offer."


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