Three Dartmouth Baseball Players Taken in the MLB Draft

Friday, June 6, 2008

Hanover, NH -- Dartmouth College senior outfielder Damon Wright (Dallas, Texas), left-handed pitcher Russell Young (Cleburne, Texas) and incoming freshman were all taken in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft this afternoon.

Wright was drafted in the 25th round by the San Francisco Giants, becoming the first member of the Big Green to be drafted since Will Bashelor was selected by the New York Mets in 2006.

Wright, a First Team All-Ivy and All New England selection, led Dartmouth to a 25-17 record this past spring. He posted a team best .397 batting average with nine homeruns and 39 RBIs. Taken by the Giants with the 747th overall selection, Wright's name is seen among the all time greats in Dartmouth history. His .348 career batting average is 10th on the all-time list, his 172 career hits are tied for eighth, while his 109 career RBIs are tied for seventh highest.

The Big Green's Most Valuable player and co-captain in 2008, Damon is the son of Dale and Ramani Wright of Dallas, Texas.

Young became the second player from the Big Green baseball team selected in the Major League Baseball draft today, as he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 28th round.

The 2008 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, Young was the 861st player taken. A two-time captain for the Big Green, he was chosen pitcher of the year for the Ivy League this spring, compiling a five win season with six complete games to lead the team. Young was particularly impressive during Ivy League games, posting four wins and striking out 32 batters while allowing only five walks in just a little over 44 innings. Young is the son of James and Elizabeth Young of Cleburne, Texas.

The selection of Young and Wright brings the total of players drafted from the Big Green to 14 since 2000.

Incoming freshman Kyle Hendricks became the last member of the Big Green selected in the two day draft when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected him in the 39th round (pick number 1189). This season at Capistrano Valley High School, the 6'1" right hander had an 8-2 record. In 75 innings, Hendricks struck out 65 batters with a ERA of just 0.93. He becomes the second recruit in two years to be selected, as Trevor Cahill was selected in the second round by the Oakland Athletics (pick number 66), ultimately signing a professional contract.

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