The big news about the first day of the 2003 Major League
Baseball Draft was that there was no news, as no UCLA players were
taken in the first 20 rounds.
That includes junior pitcher Chris Cordeiro, for whom no news
meant bad news.
“I’m in complete shock right now,” he said
after watching the draft Tuesday.
“I see guys going in front of me that are not very good
and I know that I can outpitch them, and that’s the part that
hurts,” he said.
While UCLA is not a staple in postseason play, it has been a
staple in the draft. Head coach Gary Adams has consistently churned
out professional prospects during his 29-year tenure. He, too, was
surprised by the draft’s first day.
“Usually, I’m sitting here waiting for 10-12 guys
and 3-4 recruits to get drafted,” Adams said.
This is only the second time in that period that the first 20
rounds have gone by without a Bruin chosen. UCLA has been
represented in the first round in four of the last seven years.
Much of the reason for the drop off is this year’s lack of
graduating seniors. While pitchers Mike Kunes, Doug Silva and
infielder Warren Trott were key contributors to this year’s
team, their pro prospects are dim.
For Cordeiro, not being a part of the Bruins’ starting
rotation limited his exposure to pro scouts. As the team’s
primary closer, he struck out 42 and walked just eight in 50.2
innings.
“I heard all kinds of different things because of my role
on the team this year,” he said, “but from what I heard
I was at least going to be (drafted) the first day for sure.
He and pitcher Casey Janssen both have a good chance of being
picked during rounds 21-50 tomorrow.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, Adams speculated that incoming
freshmen pitchers Brant Rustich and Brian Schroeder would be taken
somewhere between rounds eight and 16. Even if they are taken
tomorrow, Adams expects them to forego the pros for college.
And unless he’s drafted before the 25th round today,
Cordeiro vowed to stay one more year to show the new guys the
ropes.
“Either way, whether I’m here or playing pro
ball,” he said, “I’m going to make the most of
it.”