June 8, 2007
IOWA CITY – Four University of Iowa baseball players were selected in Major League Baseball’s 2007 First-Year Player Draft Friday.
Incoming freshman Zach Kenyon was selected in the ninth round (276th pick) by the Kansas City Royals, senior shortstop Jason White was selected in the 17th round (519th pick) by the Baltimore Orioles, junior Dusty Napoleon was picked in the 19th round (600th pick) by the Oakland Athletics, and junior Travis Sweet was picked in the 29th round (891th pick) by the Houston Astros.
“We are very excited that the Hawkeyes were well represented in the draft,” Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “It shows that we are getting the right kind of player into the program. Now Dusty, Travis and Zach have big decisions to make, and we will support them with whatever they choose.”
Kenyon, Napoleon and Sweet now have the option to sign a professional contract or play for the Hawkeyes next season. If they don’t sign, Napoleon and Sweet would be eligible to re-enter the draft next year, while Kenyon would have to wait until he completes his junior season.
Kenyon is a 6-5 righthanded pitcher from Davenport, IA, who was a first team all-conference and all-district, along with a second-team all-state selection as a junior. Kenyon throws in the upper-80s with good movement, and led his Davenport Central team to the state finals as a junior.
White, a Fort Collins, CO, native, was a two-time all-Big Ten selection, earning first team honors at shortstop this year and third team laurels at second base as a sophomore. As a senior, White hit .333 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, 11 doubles and 17 stolen bases.
Napoleon, a catcher/first baseman from Wilmette, IL, hit .354 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 56 RBIs during his senior year. He set a Big Ten record with 32 walks during conference play.
Sweet, a centerfielder from Cedar Rapids, IA, hit .413 with eight home runs, 52 RBIs and 25 stolen bases this season. He was a first team all-Big Ten selection.