Local trio drafted on final day
The final day of the Major League Baseball draft made little waves locally Wednesday, with three area players from colleges and none from high schools being selected.
College of Southern Nevada sophomore pitcher Joe Robinson went in the 32nd round to the Baltimore Orioles, UNLV junior catcher Drew Beuerlein in the 32nd round to the Los Angeles Angels and UNLV senior utility player Jarred Frierson in the 36th round to the Atlanta Braves.
Beuerlein said he has informed the Angels that he'll sign a professional contract by the Aug. 16 deadline.
"I'm thrilled. It's a dream come true," he said.
A fourth-year junior, Beuerlein has received his degree in sport management. He said the firing of UNLV coach Buddy Gouldsmith on May 18 "really doesn't" influence his decision.
"It would be hard to go back and learn a whole new system of coaches, but to pass on a childhood dream would be hard to do at this point," Beuerlein said.
Beuerlein, the cousin of former NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein, started all 58 games for the Rebels this season. He hit .355 with 10 home runs and 60 RBIs on his way to second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors.
CSN coach Tim Chambers said he expects Robinson, who was 9-1 with a 2.72 ERA as a sophomore, to fulfill his college commitment to Georgia.
"If he can go have another good year and pitch well in the (Southeastern Conference), he could go in the top two or three rounds," Chambers said.
Frierson, who moved to the outfield after playing his first three years at UNLV in the infield, batted .359 with six homers and 53 RBIs as a senior.
