Day 1 of amateur draft has strong local flavor

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, June 6, 2000 | 10 a.m.

The first-round selection of Green Valley's David Krynzel marked the start of a strong Day 1 showing by Southern Nevada in the Major League Baseball amateur draft Monday.

Two more area graduates were selected before the fifth round, and by day's end eight local products had their names called by big-league teams.

Las Vegas High pitcher Anthony Pluta, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander, went to the Houston Astros in the third round (No. 97 overall).

Twenty-six picks later, the New York Yankees took Oklahoma State junior left-hander Matt Smith, a 6-4, 218-pound Bishop Gorman graduate.

For Pluta, Monday's news capped a year that saw him garner a spot among the nation's elite prospects, primarily behind a strong showing at last summer's Area Code Games. Pluta did not have the breakout senior season many were predicting, but a fastball that reaches the mid-90s was plenty to keep pro teams interested.

"Today was kind of nerve-racking," said Pluta, who was at his school's graduation rehearsal when he received word of his selection. "Every minute went by so slow. When I heard third round, I was really happy."

Pluta, who signed with Long Beach State in November, said he was surprised to be drafted by Houston, which was not among the teams that showed the most interest in him. The Astros selected two area graduates -- Green Valley's Mike Nannini and Bishop Gorman's Jason Van Meetren -- in 1998.

"It's pretty special, but I haven't gotten there yet," Pluta said. "So I'm going to work as hard as I can to get there, and work as hard as I can to stay there."

Since graduating from Bishop Gorman in 1997, Smith has spent the last three seasons earning a reputation as a reliable starting pitcher, earning second-team All-America honors in 1999 and the Big 12 freshman of the year award in 1998. He said he was hoping to be drafted earlier, but was pleased to be picked by the two-time defending champs.

"I was a little disappointed because I had a feeling I would go a little higher, but I knew anything could happen," Smith said. "It's a definite joy to get drafted by the Yankees. It's a great organization, and they treat their players well, so that's a real positive."

Smith said he was undecided about whether he would sign a professional contract or return to Oklahoma State for his final season.

"Right now, I'm definitely going to have to let it sink in and see how important school is and how important pro baseball is," Smith said. "I'm definitely going to have to grow up and be a man and make a decision."

In the ninth round, right-hander John Dischiavo became the second member of Las Vegas High's pitching staff to be selected, going to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Dischiavo, an honorable mention Sun All-State selection, has not signed with a college.

Durango graduate John DiBetta became the first draft choice from the Community College of Southern Nevada. The freshman second baseman, who led the Coyotes in most offensive categories this spring, went to the San Diego Padres in Round 15.

Right-handed pitcher Luke Anderson, a Green Valley product, was the first UNLV player selected on Monday, going to the San Francisco Giants in the 18th round.

Outfielder Nick Day, a Green Valley High graduate, was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round. He hit .368 with five home runs and 41 RBIs at Brigham Young.

Rebels right-hander Andy McCulloch, a Western grad, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays later in Round 20, the final round completed on Day 1.

Another player with area ties drafted on Monday was Arizona State right-hander Jason Fingers, son of Las Vegas resident and Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers. The Sun Devils' pitcher, who spent two years at Central Arizona Community College after graduating from Torrey Pines High in San Diego, was taken by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round.

Reno High right-hander Marc Kaiser, a member of the Sun's All-State first team, went to the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round.

The draft continues today, with Silverado catcher Tommy Rojas, Cimarron-Memorial pitcher David Seccombe and Durango first baseman Chris Kelly among the top remaining local prospects.