Three more Auburn signees went on the final day of the MLB Draft on Wednesday, bringing the Tigers’ final tally to six current players and four signees taken over the draft’s three days.
Ryan Tella, an outfielder from Ohlone (Calif.) College, went to the Minnesota Twins with the 1,048th pick in Round 34, followed by Spanish Fort High pitcher Rocky McCord (39th, 1198th, Minnesota) and Lake Wales (Fla.) High outfielder Colton Davis (50th, 1510th, Houston Astros).
The three signees joined Slocomb High pitcher Clay Holmes, who was chosen in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
Tella, at 6-foot, 175 pounds, was a first-team All-Conference player this past year and was named the MVP of the Coast Conference.
McCord, a 6-2, 175-pound righty, was 10-1 with a 1.84 ERA for the state-champion Toros this year.
The 6-3, 185-pound Davis hit .350 as a junior in 2010 and was 33-of-35 on stolen-base attempts.
Of the six Auburn players drafted, three juniors — third baseman Dan Gamache, shortstop Casey McElroy and pitcher Derek Varnadore — share the same decision the Tigers’ signees have to make.
Play at Auburn, or get started on a professional career?
They have until the August 15 signing deadline to figure it out.
“As a college coach, you sit there, watch draft tracker all day, see what players are taken, and it makes for a long couple of days, that’s for sure,” Tigers coach John Pawlowski said. “Certainly you’re happy for guys that deserve the opportunity to be drafted.”
Auburn players taken in 2011 MLB Draft
Name Pos. Round (Pick) Team
Dan Gamache* 3B 6th (182) Pittsburgh Pirates
Clay Holmes+ RHP 9th (272) Pittsburgh Pirates
Casey McElroy* SS 11th (353) San Diego Padres
Derek Varnadore* RHP 17th (523) Florida Marlins
Bradley Hendrix RHP 22nd (690) Tampa Bay Rays
Tony Caldwell C 24th (733) Florida Marlins
Kevin Patterson 1B 30th (919) Toronto Blue Jays
Ryan Tella+ OF 34th (1048) Minnesota Twins
Rocky McCord+ RHP 39th (1198) Minnesota Twins
Colton Davis+ OF 50th (1510 Houston Astros
* - Junior
+ - 2011 signee