Six Tigers Taken in MLB Draft

June 4, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Khalil Greene’s selection as the 13th player overall highlighted a list of six Tigers taken on the first day of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. Greene, a senior shortstop, was taken in the first round by San Diego and the Padres followed the choice by picking teammate Jeff Baker was taken in the fourth round, B.J. LaMura was selected in the fifth round, Matt Henrie was taken in the seventh round and Steve Reba was selected in the 21st round to close out day one, which includes the first 22 rounds of the draft.

Greene’s selection is the first by a Clemson player in the first round since Mike Paradis was picked by the Baltimore Orioles in 1999. He is Clemson’s 10th first-round pick and the sixth first-rounder under Head Coach Jack Leggett. The Key West, FL, native is second in NCAA history in career hits and is the Clemson career leader in hits, extra base hits, RBIs, total bases, doubles, at-bats, games played and hit-by-pitches. Last week, Greene was named the National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball.

“It’s an honor to be picked that high,” said Greene, who was taken in the 14th round by the Chicago Cubs last season. “I never anticipated this. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a productive career after Clemson.”

Johnson, a Georgetown, SC, native, was selected 54th overall in the second round by San Diego. He is batting .387 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. He was named First Team All-ACC this season and was named the top junior first baseman in the country at midseason by Baseball America.

“It has always been a dream of mine, as it is for every baseball player, to play in the major leagues and you have to get drafted first,” said Johnson. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point and it is very exciting. It is neat that Khalil and I could possibly be on the same team.”

Baker, a Woodbridge, VA, native, was taken with the 111th pick overall in the fourth round by Colorado. He is Clemson’s alltime leader in home runs and is ranks sixth in the ACC in career home runs. The junior is batting .333 with 24 home runs and 79 RBIs and needs just one more home run to set a new single season record at Clemson.

“It’s a great honor to be picked by a major league team,” said Baker. “I’m excited the Rockies decided to pick me and give me a chance. This is one of the first steps I have to take to realize my lifelong dream, but right now my focus is on Arkansas and getting to the College World Series.”

LaMura, a Rokonkonoma, NY, native, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the 150th pick overall in the fifth round. The junior had a breakout season in 2002 and has started eight games, compling a 5-2 record with a 4.05 ERA.

“I was very excited to see my name up there,” said LaMura. “It feels good knowing I have the opportunity to play at the next level.”

Henrie, a Jupiter FL, native, was picked 219th overall in the seventh round by Arizona. The junior leads Clemson with a 2.98 ERA as the team’s number two starter. He was named to the All-ACC second team earlier this season.

“This is a huge thrill for me,” he said. “I am looking forward to playing professionally, but we still have a few games to play here.”

Reba was the 621st selcetion overall in the 21st round by the Colorado Rockies. He is tied for third in Clemson history with 33 wins, including a 13-2 record this season.

“The Rockies are a good organization and it is great that they picked me up,” said Reba. “This is about what I expected so I am pleased.”