Seven locals selected in final day of MLB Draft

By Steve Silver

Thursday, June 11, 2009 | 11:57 a.m.

The third and final day of the 2009 MLB Entry Draft kicked off Thursday with UNLV senior center fielder Jay Sferra as the first pick of the 31st round (No. 922) by the Washington Nationals.

This is the 25th consecutive year the Rebels have had at least one player drafted. As UNLV's leadoff hitter this season, Sferra batter .364.

Two of Sferra's teammates also heard their names called. The Texas Rangers drafted UNLV sophomore pitcher Charles Nading with pick No. 1114 in round 37 while the Pittsburgh Pirates chose junior pitcher Marc Baca in round 42 as pick No. 1255.

Several other players with local ties were drafted Wednesday as well.

The San Diego Padres selected former Bishop Gorman and College of Southern Nevada pitcher Jon Berger in round 33 with pick No. 984. Berger is currently at San Diego State.

Recent Gorman graduate, third baseman R.J. Santigate, went in round 44 (No. 1341) to the Los Angeles Angels. Santigate is headed to Long Beach State next year.

CSN had another player drafted when the Milwaukee Brewers picked left fielder Trevor Kirk in the 47th round (No. 1426).

Finally, former Centennial High School star and current San Diego State pitcher Tyler Lavigne closed out the draft in the 50th round (No. 1509) with the St. Louis Cardinals.