Jan. 19, 2005
WACO, Texas -
Five Baylor baseball players were recognized as being among the top 50 professional prospects in their respective classes, according to Baseball America's Fab 50 rankings released Wednesday. Seniors Josh Ford, Michael Griffin and Trey Taylor, junior Mark McCormick and sophomore Cory VanAllen were so honored by the publication.
McCormick, a right-handed pitcher from Houston, Texas, was the highest rated of the five. He was listed 10th among juniors, the fourth highest-rated junior pitcher and third among junior right-handers. McCormick was named the sixth-best pro prospect in the Cape Cod League by Baseball America each of the past two summers. He previously was drafted in 2002 by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round.
Ford and Griffin have never been drafted, although, both are expected to be highly drafted as seniors. Griffin rates as the 20th-best senior prospect with Ford two spots back at No. 22. They rate as the second- and third-best senior prospects, respectively, among those who have never been drafted. Only Tulane shortstop Tommy Manzella (16th) rates higher.
Southpaw Trey Taylor, who has been drafted twice before, is rated as the 43rd-best prospect in this year's senior class. Taylor was a 2001 second-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies. Last June, Taylor was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 20th round.
Eligible for draft in 2006, VanAllen is rated 43rd among this year's sophomores. Expected to contend for a spot in Baylor's weekend rotation this spring, VanAllen was a 2003 third-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school.
Since 1998, 42 Baylor players have been drafted, second in the Big 12 Conference during that time and only one behind Texas A&M's league-best 43 draft picks. At least one Baylor player has been selected in 28 of the last 29 amateur drafts and each year since 1991.
Baylor opens its 2005 season Feb. 11-13 at the Minute Maid Park College Classic in Houston, Texas. The Bears face Houston (3:30 p.m. CST, Feb. 11), No. 34 Tennessee (3:30 p.m., Feb. 12) and No. 18 Rice (2:30 p.m., Feb. 13).
