Deja Vu: 10 More Aflac All-Americans Picked in First Round of 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft

/PRNewswire / -- For the second year in a row, 10 former Aflac All-Americans were selected today in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Donavan Tate, regarded as the top high school player in this year's draft, went No. 3 to the San Diego Padres.

Aflac All-Americans have been well represented in the first round since the Aflac All-American Game's inception in 2003. Overall 62 Aflac All-American alumni have been selected in the first round, including current major leaguer Justin Upton (No. 1 overall, 2005) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last year, Tim Beckham was the first of 10 All Americans selected when the Tampa Bay Rays made him the draft's top pick.

The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by official selection partners Baseball America magazine and prep scouting service Perfect Game USA.

Aflac All-American players drafted in today's first round included:

3 - Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, Carterville, Ga. (San Diego)
6 - Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga. San Francisco)
9 - Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Academy, St. Charles, Mo. (Detroit)

11 - Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Ca. (Colorado)

14 - Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS, Spring, Texas (Texas)
21 - Jiovanni Mier, INF, Bonita HS, Pomona, Ca. (Houston)
29 - Slade Heathcott, OF, Texas HS, Texarkana, Texas (New York Yankees)
30 - LeVon Washington, INF, Buchholz HS, Gainesville, Fla. (Tampa Bay)
36 - Matt Davidson, INF, Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, Ca. (Arizona)
39 - Kentrail Davis, OF, Tennessee (Milwaukee)


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Braves Sign 18 of 51 Draft Selections

The Atlanta Braves today announced that they have signed 18 of their 51 draft selections from the 2008 first-year player draft. Included in the 18 signed draftees are six of Atlanta's top 10 selections and 10 of their top 15 picks. Of the 18 players, nine are pitchers (seven right-handed and two left-handed) and there are five infielders, three outfielders and one catcher.

Right-handed pitcher Ezekiel Spruill was Atlanta's second round pick (third overall) and is the highest drafted player to sign. Atlanta has also signed its fourth and fifth overall selections, right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel and catcher Braeden Schlehuber, respectively. In addition, the Braves inked two non-drafted players, first baseman Ryan Voelkel out of Green River Community College and outfielder Mike Elkerson from Abilene Christian University.

The 51 draftees include 31 pitchers (24 right-handers and seven left-handers), 11 infielders, six outfielders and three catchers. Brett DeVall, a left-handed pitcher from Niceville, Fla., was Atlanta's number one pick overall (40th overall). For the second consecutive year, the Braves selected a minimum 10 players from the state of Georgia (they selected eight in 2006), including eight from the Atlanta area. Of the 51 draft selections, 19 were chosen out of high school, including the first three picks, and the remaining 32 were collegiate players.

Thrashers Add Five Players in Day Two of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft

The Atlanta Thrashers selected five players on Day Two of this weekend’s 2008 NHL Entry Draft, held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario. Atlanta held seven selections in all over the two-day draft, including two first-round choices used on defenseman Zach Bogosian (third overall) and center Daultan Leveille (29th overall).

The Thrashers owned one choice each in Rounds 3-7 and selected right wing Danick Paquette (third round, 64th overall), right wing Vinny Saponari (fourth round, 94th overall), left wing Nicklas Lasu (fifth round, 124th overall), goaltender Chris Carrozzi (sixth round, 154th overall) and defenseman Zach Redmond (seventh round, 184th overall).

Daquette, 17, recorded 42 points (29 goals, 13 assists) in 63 games with the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) last season. The 6-0, 210-pound right wing finished third on his team with 29 goals and was second in the QMJHL with 213 penalty minutes. The Montreal, Quebec native has totaled 60 points (33 goals, 27 assists) and 325 penalty minutes in 126 games over two seasons in Lewiston.

Saponari, 18, spent the last two years in Ann Arbor, Mich. with the United States Development Program and tallied 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games with the Under-18 team during the 2007-08 season. The 6-0, 180-pound right wing appeared in 60 games with the USDP in 2006-07, including 39 games with the Under-17 team where he recorded 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) and 21 games with the Under-18 team, tallying seven points (four goals, three assists) in those games. The Atlanta, Ga. native is the first Georgia-born player to play for the USDP and will join his brother Victor at Boston University (Hockey East) next season. Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Saponari played for Culver Military Academy (Ind.) in 2005-06 and led the team with 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists).

Lasu, 18, recorded 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists) in 41 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Jr. League during the 2007-08 campaign. The 5-11, 180-pound left wing also appeared in two games with Frolunda’s Swedish Elite League team. The Molndal, Sweden native was the ranked 31st among European Skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service.

Carrozzi, 18, appeared in 47 games with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last year, compiling a 25-18-2 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage, along with four shutouts. He started all four post-season contests for the Majors. The Ottawa, Ontario native has earned a 31-25-3-1 record with a 3.24 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and four shutouts in 72 games over two seasons with the Majors. The 6-3, 185-pound goaltender was a member of the Gold Medal winning Team Canada at the 2008 Under-18 IIHF World Championships and won a Gold Medal with Team Ontario at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

Redmond, 19, just completed his freshman season at Ferris State University (CCHA), where he recorded 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 37 games. The 6-1, 190-pound defenseman ranked second on the team among first-year players and sixth overall in points. Prior to beginning his collegiate career, the Traverse City, Mich. native played two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 108 games from 2005-07.

Thrashers to Host 2008 NHL Draft Party at Philips Arena on Friday, June 20

The Atlanta Thrashers will host their 2008 NHL Draft Party in Philips Experience at Philips Arena on Friday, June 20 from 6-9 p.m. to coincide with the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Many special events and activities are planned for the celebration, including a special appearance and autograph signing by Thrashers forward Eric Perrin.

The Thrashers own two first-round choices (third and 29th overall) and seven overall selections in this year’s seven-round Entry Draft, which will be held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Friday, June 20 (Round 1), beginning at 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 21 (Rounds 2-7), beginning at 10 a.m.

The Thrashers 2008 NHL Draft Party, which is free and open to the public, will feature live coverage of the Entry Draft’s first round on VERSUS. Thrashers radio announcers Dan Kamal and Jeff Odgers will be on-hand to broadcast live on 680 the Fan to offer analysis and interviews.

Fans in attendance will also have the chance to test their skills in interactive games, meet Thrash and members of the Blue Crew and select seat locations for the Thrashers upcoming season. Philips Arena’s new Taco Mac restaurant, located adjacent to Philips Experience, will also be open for the event.

Thrashers 2008 NHL Entry Draft Selections (Scotiabank Place, Ottawa):

Friday, June 20 – 7 p.m.
1st Round/3rd Overall
1st Round/29th Overall (acquired from Pittsburgh)

Saturday, June 21 – 10 a.m.
3rd Round/64th Overall
4th Round/94th Overall
5th Round/124th Overall
6th Round/154th Overall
7th Round/184th Overall

Atlanta Thrashers Season Tickets start as low as $10 per game and are on sale now for the 2008-09 season by visiting atlantathrashers.com or calling (866) 715-1500.