This week's Major League Baseball Draft will normally provide many anxious moments for draft prospects, college coaches and obviously, MLB organizations. But that wasn't the case for
Runey Davis, one of Mississippi State's signees for the Class of 2009.
On Wednesday afternoon, Davis was selected in the 12th round by the Chicago Cubs, and was the 380th player overall selected in the 2009 MLB Draft.
But the Howard (Texas) College sophomore centerfielder was fishing on the Texas coastline when he got the news.
"I've actually been fishing all day," said Davis, who was the next-to-last pick in the 12th round. "But it was exciting when I got the call. We haven't caught nothing but a bunch of sheepheads but this was a good day overall."
It was the second time that Davis has been selected by a MLB organization. After his senior year at Georgetown (Texas) High School, the 6-foot and 185-pound Davis was drafted in the 11th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Davis elected to go to college, instead, and played his true freshman season at the University of Texas.
Davis later transferred to Howard College and helped this year's squad produce an outstanding season. Howard College finished 63-1 and captured the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., last month.
On its journey to the national title, Howard College reeled off a 55-game winning streak, which set a national record for consecutive wins at any level of baseball.
Davis noted he thought he might get drafted higher this time around.
"I figured I would go a little higher than I did," said Davis. "But it was good to hear I got my name get called. I know the Cubs have a good organization and it's good to have this opportunity."
This past season, Davis hit .404 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 8 home runs and 48 RBIs. Davis was also solid in centerfield and on the basepaths. Davis committed just two errors and had a .973 fielding percentage and was 37-of-42 on stolen bases.
Naturally, Davis wasn't sure of what the future holds, especially just hours after he got drafted. But he did let the Cubs know it would take a lot of money for him to bypass MSU, who he signed with during the fall signing period.
"I am not sure how long this will play out and no one knows for sure," said Davis. "But I told them it would take a big chunk of money for me to sign. Mississippi State is definitely still in my future and a great program I want to play for. If I don't sign, I can still go have a great year and maybe be picked higher next year. We just have to wait and see what happens."
Davis originally had plans to play summer baseball either in Alaska or the Cape Cod League.
"I am not sure right now," said Davis. "I think I might just stick close to home and work out here. I will probably just stay close to home and see what happens."
Thru the first 26 rounds of the MLB Draft, Davis was one of four centerfielders selected by the Cubs. In the first round, the Cubs selected Brett Jackson of California as the 31st overall pick.
After Davis was drafted in the 12th round, the Cubs later selected three more centefielders in Auburn-Montgomery's Bryan Shields (15th round), Utah high school product Keeyan Walker (16th round) and Cal St-Northridge's Jeffrey Pruitt (23rd round).
The 2009 MLB Draft continues today and will conclude on Thursday. Today's selections will end after the 30th round while rounds 31-50 will be held on Thursday, starting at 11 a.m.
