Sports

RSM Player Selected by Reds in Baseball Draft

Blake Taylor and Scott Brattvet, a couple of south Orange County baseball players, have been chosen by Major League Baseball teams in the first-year player draft. 

Taylor (6-3, 220), a left-handed pitcher from Dana Point, played at Dana Hills High last year. He was chosen in the second round, 51st overall, by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Taylor has signed with Hawaii to attend college, but told the Orange County Register he is likely to sign with the Pirates.

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According to Major League Baseball, Taylor's fastball easily finds the low 90s, has a chance to have an above-average curveball, and could be a starter in the majors if he refines his change-up.

Last season he was 2-3 in 11 appearances with a 2.57 earned-run average. In 49 innings, he struck out 59, walked 35 and allowed 37 hits.

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Brattvet (6-1, 190), a right-handed pitcher from Rancho Santa Margarita, played at Mission Viejo High, Santa Ana College and most recently with Cal State Bakersfield. He was chosen in the eighth round by the Cincinnati Reds with the 255th overall pick.

Brattvet, 21, majored in communications and minored in kinesiology. He said he will put his name to the dotted line "definitely."

"I was told there was a chance I could go 7-10, but they tell a lot of guys that," Brattvet said. "I was uneasy until I heard my name called (then) it was pretty unreal."

Although a fan of the Angels growing up, he's now fully committed to the Reds.

"When it came to getting drafted, the team that drafts me is my favorite team," he said. "I did a pre-draft workout in Cincinnati last week and they got a good look at me. I did well."

He had a stellar season in 2013 for the Roadrunners, who won the Western Athletic Conference title, going 9-1 with a 2.55 earned-run average. In 98 2/3 innings, he struck out 70 and walked 42; opponents batted .251.


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