June 7, 2006

Three additional Florida Atlantic University baseball players were selected on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft bringing the Owls' total to five draftees this season. Brandon Cooney, Chris Salberg and Alex Fonseca were selected on Wednesday.

Cooney's day started early when he was selected in the 20th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. A right-handed pitcher, Cooney (Pembroke Pines, FL) posted a 4.71 ERA in 12 starts. The junior worked 72 2/3 inning and held opponents to a .277 batting average.

Fellow pitcher Chris Salberg also went on Wednesday. The lefthander was picked by the Baltimore Orioles in the 22nd round. With the second most innings on the mound (73.2), the Rockford, IL native posted a 5-6 record and struck out 82 in his junior season.

The only senior to be drafted, shortstop Alex Fonseca was picked by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 36th round. Fonseca is a former First Team All-Conference selection and holds a career .299 batting average with 430 assists. The assists mark places him third all-time at FAU behind current major league player Tommy Murphy.

The Owls have had 49 players in professional baseball since 1997. Four have reached the major leagues.