Saints Baseball Players Make it to the Big League
June 28, 2012
Santa Fe Freshman outfielder Mallex Smith heard his name called for the second time in as many years at the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft. Smith, one of the fastest players in the entire draft, was selected by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity of competing against the best competition in baseball and being able to focus on my craft," said Smith. "Being at Santa Fe taught me how to be a great competitor and also how to work with great talent around me."
Santa Fe Sophomore catcher Tim Remes has agreed to terms with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball on a free agent contract and will report to the Gulf Coast League Tigers in Lakeland. The GCL Tigers open their season Monday, June 18 in Clearwater against the GCL Phillies.
"We are excited about Tim's opportunity to play professional baseball," said SF Coach Wiggs. "He is very solid defensively with a plus arm and can also swing the bat. He's been a big part of our success the last two years and we wish him all the best."
Santa Fe pitcher Brad Markey had one of the best statistical season in Santa Fe history in 2012 and was rewarded when he was selected on the final day of the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft in the 35th round by the New York Mets. He will now have to choose whether or not to finish his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he signed a scholarship, or play professionally. Carlos Garmendia, a 2012-13 SF signee out of Miami, FL, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 19th round. He will now have a similar decision as Markey, to play professionally, or attend college.
Three former Saints were also drafted this year. Ryan Mathews, a member of the 2009 Santa Fe State Championship team and current senior at North Carolina State was taken in the 27th round by the Oakland Athletics. Mathews and the Wolfpack are still competing this season and make a trip to Gainesville Saturday to take on the Florida Gators in the NCAA Super Regional. Zach Taylor, who currently plays for Armstrong Atlantic and competed for SF in 2011, was selected in the 12th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, and Ben O'Shea, a member of the 2011 Saints and pitcher for the University of Tampa, was taken in the 35th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.
View the complete Santa Fe College draft history.
