UC Riverside

Players signed indicated in Bold

Round Overall Team Player Position State Bonus
3 98 St. Louis Cardinals Joe Kelly RHP Calif. $341,000
Plagued by shoulder trouble early in his college career, Kelly has emerged as one of the nation's top college closers in 2009. At 6-foot-1, he doesn't fit the classic image of the physically intimidating closer, but his stuff is plenty big. In fall ball Kelly flashed a fastball that ranged from 93-96 mph, with wicked natural sink, and he maintained his stuff in the spring and now regularly clocks in at 94-97. Strictly a short relief man, Kelly is an aggressive hurler who wants the ball in pressure situations. He had nine saves this spring for the Highlanders, with 18 strikeouts against five walks in 25 innings, though his 5.33 ERA wasn't impressive. In his delivery, Kelly is reminiscent of Brett Hunter, chosen last year out of Pepperdine, with a high-effort delivery from a low three-quarters arm slot, and he falls off to his left after delivery. Most pitchers begin their pro careers as starters and are then converted to relievers, but Kelly figures to be a closer from the opening bell. His stuff may help him rush through the minors as quickly as any pitcher in the draft class.
10 292 Washington Nationals Paul Applebee LHP Calif. $95,000
Applebee is the prototypical crafty lefthander, moving his 86 mph fastball around the strike zone and keeping hitters off-balance with an excellent curveball and changeup. He doesn't miss many bats, but Applebee doesn't give up a lot of solid contact either. After a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, Applebee went 10-2, 3.74 this spring. His track record and ability to keep the ball in the ballpark (five homers allowed in 89 innings) could make him the second Highlander drafted, after closer Joe Kelly.
10 308 Florida Marlins Matt Montgomery RHP Calif. $80,000
Montgomery first garnered attention in 2007, when he posted a 5-1, 2.96 record for UC Riverside. He took an injury redshirt in 2008 and struggled in 2009, going 2-2, 4.55. Big and physical at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he drew draft interest based on the flashes of brilliance he showed two years ago. He's a sinker/slider pitcher who usually operates in the high 80s.
13 391 Colorado Rockies Paul Bargas LHP Calif.
18 557 Philadelphia Phillies Carl Uhl OF Calif.
20 612 Minnesota Twins Tommy Mackoul LHP Calif.
27 826 Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Platt RHP Calif.

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