June 27, 2006

St. Louis, MO (CSTV U-WIRE) -- After completing his senior year, Josh Morgan, pitcher/outfielder for the UM-St. Louis Rivermen, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics on day two of the 2006 MLB player draft. Morgan was drafted in the 30th round and was the 908th selection overall.

"I was at my apartment. My roommate actually just happened to look to see what round they were in. The next thing I know, he said I was drafted by the A's," said Morgan.

This is the second consecutive year that Morgan was selected in the MLB draft. Last season, Morgan was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 27th round. Morgan decided not to sign with the Yankees and instead return to UMSL to finish his senior year.

"I had my senior year left and we just didn't come to an offer that made me want to skip my senior year. And now looking back on it, I don't think I was ready then. I've gotten a lot better and learned a lot more about the game. I got myself ready to go play pro ball," said Morgan.

Morgan said he had no contact with the A's before being drafted in the 30th round. "They came to watch me pitch in the last game of the season that I pitched, but I didn't talk to them. I'm excited about getting drafted," said Morgan.

The last game that Morgan pitched for the Rivermen was a 3-1 loss against SIUE on May 7. Morgan pitched seven innings and gave up three runs on four hits. He walked three batters and struck out five. Morgan went 0-3 at the plate.

"I got drafted as a pitcher, but the scout asked me what I would rather do and I told him I'd rather play the field. It's not like I dislike pitching, I just prefer playing in the field because it's what I've done all my life. They said as of now, they haven't ruled anything out. If I become a pitcher, I'll be a pitcher," said Morgan.

Morgan led the Rivermen and the Great Lakes Valley Conference in several stat categories. He led the team in hitting with a .344 season batting average, and scored 30 total runs. Morgan led the Rivermen with six homeruns and 18 stolen bases. He also led the team with a .574 slugging percentage and a .460 on-base percentage.

Morgan ranked first in the GLVC in slugging percentage as well as on-base percentage. His batting average ranked fourth and he was tied for second in the GLVC with six homeruns.

Morgan ranked second in the GLVC with a .167 opposing batting average during the season. Morgan also allowed the fewest hits in the GLVC, giving up only 27 during the season. Morgan came in second in runs allowed, with 12.

Morgan's senior year earned him the honor of being named GLVC Player of the Year as well as a first-team all-conference selection. Morgan becomes the second player in school history to be named GLVC player of the year. The last UMSL player to earn the title was Jim Reiter in 2003.

There were a total of four players from the GLVC that were selected in the 2006 MLB player draft. Brad Stone (Quincy) was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 12th round, Paul David Patterson (Northern Kentucky) was selected by the New York Yankees in the 16th round and Clay Zavada (SIUE) was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 30th round.

"I'm actually real good friends with Brad Stone. I played ball with him one year and I've known him ever since," said Morgan. "It was the summer before I came to UMSL."

Morgan leaves St. Louis on Monday night to head to Vancouver to sign his minor league A contract with The Vancouver Canadians. Morgan said the team is set to start workouts on Tuesday. The Canadians' first game of the season is a home game on June 19 against the Yakima Bears, a minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

(C) 2006 The Current via CSTV U-WIRE