White Sox pick two from Southern Nevada

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 | 10:03 a.m.

Chris Carter got up early Tuesday morning for his high school government final, then started listening to the Major League Baseball draft during a student aide class at Sierra Vista.

He went home and continued listening on the computer, talking to his mother on the phone late Tuesday afternoon when he heard his name come out of the speakers.

Carter, the Mountain Lions' quiet standout third baseman, was one of two local high school players selected in the first 18 rounds of this year's draft. He was picked by the White Sox in the 15th round, 455th overall, 30 picks after the White Sox selected UNLV pitcher Derek Rodriguez.

He said he was expecting to get drafted, but was unsure whether he'd follow up on Chicago's offer.

"We're going to look at the contract in the next couple days and see how it goes," he said. Carter added that he could also go to Oregon State if he opts to go the college route.

"He's an academic kid as well. He's got a lot of options and I don't know what they're going to offer or how much it'd take for him to go," Sierra Vista coach Nate Selby said. "He set himself up with an opportunity to go to a couple junior colleges ... I know Oregon State would love him to come. Now major league guys are knocking on his door, and he's where every kid dreams of being."

Carter and the Mountain Lions won the 4A title last month, and last week were ranked 20th in the country by USA Today. He hit .343 this year with nine doubles and seven home runs, striking out just eight times in 105 at-bats. He also led the Mountain Lions with 18 errors.

Rodriguez, who just last Saturday pitched a brilliant game for UNLV in the NCAA regionals at Tempe, had stopped watching the draft in his Las Vegas apartment when Rebels teammate J.C. Sibley came in and broke the news.

It wasn't long after that that White Sox scout George Kachigian called Rodriguez.

"He said he sees a lot of potential and the opportunity to play in the big leagues," Rodriguez said. "He likes my attitude on the field, my demeanor."

UNLV coach Buddy Gouldsmith said Rodriguez's versatility helped him get picked.

"He's a guy that can pitch in a variety of roles," Gouldsmith said. "He started for us, he certainly could be used for mid- or short-relief."

A Bishop Gorman graduate and transfer from CCSN, Rodriguez started 18 games for the Rebels, going 5-5 with a 5.15 ERA. He struck out 76 batters while walking 39 in 108 1/3 innings pitched.

In Saturday's regional game against East Carolina, Rodriguez pitched a shutout through six innings, allowing two runs on four hits in UNLV's 5-3 victory.

The draft's remaining 32 rounds were set for today.