By Dylan Hernandez
Daily Bruin Contributor
The next three days, beginning Friday, are undoubtedly the
biggest of the year for the UCLA baseball team, as it battles
Louisiana State in the NCAA Super Regionals for a berth in the
College World Series. But for many of the members of the UCLA
squad, next Monday will be the most important day of their entire
lives.
Several Bruin players expect to have their futures determined in
Monday’s major league baseball amateur draft. Those who are
at least academic juniors will be eligible and, according to
Baseball America’s latest projections, up to 14 could be
selected.
Yet despite the proximity of draft day, the Bruins maintain that
their focus remains on LSU.
“The college season comes first,” second baseman
Chase Utley said. “I can deal with pro ball
afterwards.”
“We don’t talk about the draft much,”
leftfielder Bill Scott added. “We keep that stuff off the
field. And personally, I don’t really care for it.
There’s nothing I can do about it.”
If some of the Bruins were distracted, they would have every
reason to be so. Six players from UCLA could conceivably be picked
in the first five of 50 rounds.
Utley, the most valuable player in last week’s Oklahoma
Regional, is projected as a mid-to-late first-round choice.
Baseball America called him the best pure hitter at the college
level.
Lefthanded pitcher Rob Henkel also made Baseball America’s
rankings ““ the publication rated his breaking ball tops in
the nation and said he was the player third closest to making the
major leagues. Baseball America’s mock draft had him going at
No. 27 overall to the Houston Astros.
Four other Bruins ““ first baseman Garrett Aktins, catcher
Forrest Johnson, leftfielder Bill Scott and pitcher Ryan Carter
““ could join Utley and Henkel in the first five rounds.
Johnson, however, may slip a little, since he is still learning the
catching position.
Others, including rightfielder Nick Lyon and pitcher Bobby Roe,
could go in the first 10 rounds.
Regardless, Bruin head coach Gary Adams said there hasn’t
been an apparent change in his players’ attitudes.
“I haven’t seen them starting to play for the pro
scouts,” he said. “They’re still playing for the
UCLA Bruins.”
Henkel said that’s because of the team’s
success.
“It makes it a lot easier when the team’s doing
well,” Henkel said. “If we weren’t or if we were
out of (the NCAAs), the draft would be a lot more prominent in our
minds. All I can think about is Louisiana State and taking care of
things on the field.”
If UCLA can take two of three games this weekend in Baton Rouge,
the Bruins will advance to the College World Series for the first
time since 1997.
For now, at least, that’s their top priority.