Pitchers Austin Lubinsky and TJ Oakes were selected in the 36th and 41st rounds respectively on WednesdayâÄôs portion of the MLB Draft, joining Justin Gominsky, Nick OâÄôShea, AJ Pettersen and Scott Matays to comprise the GophersâÄô 2011 draft class.
Lubinsky, a junior, was selected by the San Fransisco Giants. The righty started 13 games, and went 5-6 with a 4.36 ERA.
The Minnesota Twins selected Oakes after an impressive sophomore campaign in which he started 14 games, going 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA and earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors.
Draft picks will now have to decide whether to return to college or sign a pro contract.
âÄúIâÄôm happy for the student-athletes. ItâÄôs an opportunity obviously if they choose, especially those with eligibility left to pursue their professional baseball goals and dreams,âÄù head coach John Anderson said.
âÄúIâÄôll definitely be considering [signing]. ItâÄôll all depend on that process,âÄù OâÄôShea said last week. âÄúIâÄôm very lucky to have the opportunity to play professional baseball if I choose to pursue it.âÄù
OâÄôSheaâÄôs former teammate, Pettersen, has already made a decision on his future, as the junior shortstop signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
âÄúIn professional baseball itâÄôs tough to get much of a chance once you get older and older every year. Once you get older, your opportunity gets smaller and smaller,âÄù he said.
âÄúBeing that IâÄôm 22 years old, as a 23 year old I probably would have got less of an opportunity next year. IâÄôve decided that this year is my year. IâÄôm really shooting to make a career out of [baseball],âÄù he added.
Anderson said he wasnâÄôt surprised by PettersenâÄôs decision, but his production will be missed.
âÄúYou lose good players every year. I have for 30 years. You always wonder how youâÄôre going to replace some of the guys that move on, especially your high level players,âÄù Anderson said.
The likely replacement will be freshman Michael Handel, who was redshirted in preparation to take over for Pettersen, Anderson said.
âÄúWe feel like we have a player thatâÄôs going to be able to play at a high level in this program once he gets a little more experience,âÄù Anderson said. âÄúWe recruited a year ahead there.âÄù
Gominsky joined Pettersen in the professional ranks as he signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.
Gominsky, who could not be reached for comment, will join former Gopher Mike Kvasnicka in the Astros farm system.
The rest of the draftees will have until the August 15th deadline to sign a pro contract if they choose.
âÄúSome may sign on August 15th for all we know,âÄù Anderson said. âÄú[The negotiating process] could go on all summer for some of them.âÄù