Weagle Drafted by Saint Louis Cardinals in 6th Round
Charlton, Mass., native first
Division II player picked
in MLB First Year Player Draft
RINDGE, N.H. (June 3, 2003) - Franklin Pierce All-America right-hander Matt Weagle (Charlton, Mass./Shephard Hill) was drafted by the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 6th round (185th overall) of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft this afternoon.
"He's a big strong guy, he's got a great arm," said Cardinals' Director of Amateur Scouting, Marty Maier. "It's just being able to get him in pro ball and being able to work with this guy. We see a tremendous upside to him."
Weagle, the first Division II player selected in the 2003 Draft, is the third-straight Franklin Pierce pitcher chosen over the last three years after former teammates Justin Blood (Seattle, 9th round, 2001) and Chris Shank (Oakland, 23rd round, 2002). Weagle's sixth-round selection is the highest in program history. He is expected to sign with Saint Louis, waiving his final season of eligibility, and could be assigned to the New Jersey Cardinals, the Cardinals NY-Penn League affiliate, or the Johnson City Cardinals of the Appalachian League
"I'm a fan," said Weagle of his new team. "This is a dream come true. It's what I've been working for since I was a little kid."
Much like Shank experienced on draft day last year, Weagle's computer froze while listening to MLB.com's live coverage. However those in the Weagle home returned to the coverage just as a Cardinals representative was calling Matt's name.
"I was surprised by the pick," admitted Weagle. "(The Cardinals) had been talking to me during the season, but over the last few days other teams had shown more interest."
Weagle earned the first American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Division II All-America selection in the program's NCAA era (since 1989) last week after also copping ABCA/Rawlings Northeast Region and Northeast-10 Conference Pitcher of the Year accolades this spring.
"I'm thrilled for Matt and his family," said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Jayson King. "He did a lot for his team this year and really created a good opportunity for himself. I'm just happy things worked out for him with a great organization and hopefully he'll get to play for a long, long time."
Weagle, whom Baseball America tabbed as the No. 4-ranked Pro Prospect in Division II back in February, was 9-2 this season with a program-record 1.99 ERA (3rd NE-10) to go with 103 strikeouts (1st NE-10) and just 19 walks in a program-high 99.2 innings (1st). Opposing batters hit a Conference-low .198 against him this season. He rounded out his collegiate career by winning 13 of his final 15 decisions in a Ravens uniform.
Weagle, a two-time All-Region and All-Conference pick, ranks first all-time at the College with 257 career strikeouts, a 3.54 ERA, 254.1 innings pitched and 17 complete games. He also ranks among career leaders in appearances (37 - 5th) and wins (19 - 3rd).
"It will be a few days before everything sinks in," said Weagle. "I never could have gotten here without my family, Coach King and my teammates. There are a lot of people that made today possible."
Franklin Pierce (32-17), which finished the season ranked No. 7 in the final Collegiate Baseball magazine Division II poll, advanced to the semifinal round of the 2003 Division II College World Series last week after earning the program's first NCAA Tournament bid.