Two seniors the 2009 Lewis-Clark State College baseball team, outfielder/infielder Sean Halton and pitcher Tom Peale, were selected on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday.
Halton was selected in the 13th round by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 406th pick overall, while Peale was the 23rd round pick of the Florida Marlins, and the No. 698 pick overall. Both players are expected to sign minor league contacts with the two organizations.
For the first time, the draft is a three-day event. The first round was held on Tuesday night, with rounds 2-30 on Wednesday and rounds 31-50 on Thursday.
Halton played his final two seasons at LCSC after transferring from Fresno City College. The Fresno, Calif., product was an honorable mention NAIA All-American selection this year by the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association.
Halton was used as a first baseman and designated hitter during his junior year, but worked on his outfield skills during the past off-season to help his status in draft. The work paid off as he became the Warriors’ starting right-fielder early in the season and then was moved to left field.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Halton hit .379 this past season and led the team by starting in 50 of the 55 games. He led the club in doubles (15), home runs (18), RBI (71), and slugging percentage (.754). He had a .979 fielding percentage as the Warriors finished the season at 40-15.
Halton had a particularly strong Avista NAIA World Series tournament and was named to the all-tournament team. He finished 7-of-12 (.583) with three home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored.
Milwaukee’s minor league rookie team is located in Helena, Mont, and it has Class A teams in Appleton, Wisc., and Viera, Fla.
Peale, who is 6-4 and 235 pounds, came to LCSC after transferring from the University of San Francisco. He is originally from Long Beach, Calif.
The hard-throwing right hander finished the season with a 5-1 record and a 4.18 earned run average. He was the only Warrior used exclusively as a starter this season as he started all 12 games he appeared in. He pitched 60.1 innings and allowed 62 hits, 30 runs (28 earned) and 23 extra-base hits. He struck out 50 and walked only 16 as opponents had a .263 batting average against him.
Peale, who didn’t play in 2008, was with the University of San Francisco in 2007 where he went 3-2 with a 4.77 ERA. In 11 appearances and 10 starts, he struck out 29 and walked 11. He won a state championship with Long Beach City College in 2006.
Florida has Class A minor league affiliates in Jamestown, N.Y., Jupiter, Fla., and Greensboro, N.C.
Outfielder Paul Martin and pitcher Matt Stabelfeld head the list of Warriors who could be selected on Thursday.
LCSC has now had 109 players selected in MLB draft since 1975.
