UNLV’s Sferra selected in Major League Baseball draft

UNLV senior center fielder J.J. Sferra was the first player picked on the third day of the major league draft, going in the 31st round to the Washington Nationals.

Sferra’s selection marks the 25th consecutive year the Rebels have had at least one player drafted.

As UNLV’s leadoff hitter this season, Sferra batted .364. He was the 922nd player to go in the draft, which lasts 50 rounds and concludes today.

Five players with Las Vegas ties were drafted Wednesday, when rounds four through 30 were held. Bishop Gorman High School first baseman Jeff Malm was the highest selection. Malm went in the fifth round to the Tampa Bay Rays.