UNF recruits selected in 2009 MLB draft
7/9/2009 10:06:59 AM | Baseball
There are 50 rounds in the player draft spread over the course of three days
JACKOSNVILLE, Fla. - University of North Florida's baseball team had two recruits and one former player selected in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft, June 9-11.
Michael Taylor, from
“The reason why I picked UNF's program was being able to play for Coach Rhodes with his great background, and for their business program it was a win-win for me,” said
During the second day of the draft (June 10)
“I was very excited,” said Taylor, who was signed with the Nationals. “I was watching SportsCenter at the time when I received the call that I was selected by the Nationals. It has been my dream for the longest time to play in the majors. ”
UNF's other recruit, right-handed pitcher Kyle Westwood was drafted in the 44th round by the Baltimore Orioles. The former
“It was a great feeling,” said Westwood. “Not too many kids can say they were drafted out of high school, I honestly did not expect to. I was hanging out with my friends when Kyle [Finch] (soon to be teammate and roommate at UNF) called me up to congratulate me about being drafted, that's how I found out.”
“I picked UNF because it had a great program and it was a good fit for me,” said the 18-year old Westwood who will be starting classes in the fall.
Mycal Jones, a former Osprey shortstop (2006-08), was selected in the fourth round by the Atlanta Braves. Jones left the Ospreys after his sophomore year and played the 2009 season at
Recent UNF graduate and pitcher Phil Rorabaugh, was signed as a free agent by the Houston Astros. The 6-foot, 185 pound right-hander from
