Majors call on Nevada’s finest

James Yodice

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

If only the rest of us could make our wishes granted as fast as Brian Reed.

He wanted to play for the Florida Marlins. Simple enough. On Tuesday, he became official property of the Florida Marlins.

The Green Valley High School graduate had a whirlwind courtship with Florida -- the Marlins chose him in the sixth round of the amateur draft, signed him and issued his travel papers all within a few hours.

"I'm very happy," said Reed, the Gators' center fielder. "I think they have a good, strong program, they're a good organization and they're on the rise."

Reed, who declined to discuss his signing bonus or salary, is to report Saturday to Florida's rookie-league camp in Melbourne, Fla.

At least 10 other Nevadans were snatched on the first day of the draft.

Durango High left-handed pitcher Alan Webb was the first selection of the fourth round, going to Detroit. But Webb said he was mildly disappointed that he didn't go higher.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm happy that I have the chance to play professional baseball," said Webb. "I want to play. I want to go if the deal is right."

Compounding Webb's mixed emotions was his graduation ceremony, which was Tuesday afternoon.

Other Nevada high school standouts taken were: McQueen infielder Chris Aguila, in the third round by Florida; Chaparral outfielder Maurice Washington, in the fourth round by Pittsburgh; Basic shortstop Anthony Caracciolo, in the seventh round by Montreal; Green Valley pitcher Doug Kohl, in the 12th round by Arizona; and Wooster outfielder Dwayne Johnson, in the 18th round by Philadelphia.

Two UNLV players were selected -- junior catcher Toby Hall was Tampa Bay's ninth-round pick and junior third baseman Ryan Hankins was taken a few rounds later by the Chicago White Sox. Even Hankins wasn't sure what round it was. But he was displeased with his predicament.

"I'm happy being drafted but not with the round. I thought I'd go a lot higher than that," said Hankins, reached at his home Tuesday night in Simi Valley, Calif. "So, I might be back (at UNLV) for one more year. I didn't expect this."

Hankins said Anaheim wanted to take him in the 11th round, but pushed him to commit to a contract over the phone before the Angels even made the selection. Hankins balked.

"I have no second thoughts," said Hankins, who hit .390, including eight home runs and 47 RBIs, last season. "We'll see what Chicago offers."

Hall batted .330 with five homers and 48 RBIs.

"The thing about Toby (that is so appealing) is his size and strength at that position," said UNLV head coach Rod Soesbe. "And, his ability to catch and throw."

Hall said from Sacramento, Calif., that he won't meet with the Devil Rays until Thursday.

"I'm ready for pro ball," he said. "I wouldn't mind going back to (UNLV), but it won't help me in the long run. I need to go play."

From Nevada-Reno, left fielder Gary Johnson went in the ninth round to the Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Brent Husted was scooped up in the 14th round by Los Angeles.

UNR, however, lost its prized recruit, 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher Chris Tetz of Lodi, Calif., a sandwich pick (picks falling between the first and second rounds) of Montreal who quickly signed with the Expos.

Chaparral's Washington, a strapping 6-foot-2, 210-pound power hitter who led Clark County's Class 4A programs in home runs last season with 12, could meet with the Pirates as early as today.

"If everything goes right," he said, "I'm going to sign. It's exciting."

The Washington family had two reasons to celebrate Tuesday -- Maurice's older brother Dion, a player at the College of Southern Idaho, was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Yankees.

Kohl, who is to sign a letter of intent today to attend UNLV -- thus becoming the third Gator to sign with the Rebels from the 1996-97 Class 4A state champions -- is scheduled to meet with the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Kohl and Reed are partaking in graduation ceremonies this afternoon.

"I never could have seen myself here, like when I was in Little League," said Kohl, a 6-foot-3 right-hander.

Kohl missed three weeks of last season with mononucleosis. "Actually," he said, "I'm surprised (to have been picked) considering the time I had to pitch."

The draft continues today and Thursday in New York.