A big week for OC baseball players who get to pursue their dreams of playing in Majors

Former UC Santa Barbara pitcher Michael McGreevy from San Clemente, is congratulated by teammates. ((Photo courtesy Zachary BonDurant/UCSB sports information)

It was a special week for a number of Orange County baseball players who were selected in the Major League Draft.

Players often talk about their dreams of reaching the Major Leagues. These Orange County players have a chance to realize their dream. Two of them were drafted in the first round.

It started on Sunday when former Beckman High and UCLA standout Matt McLain was selected in the first round by the Cincinnnati Reds. Then, later in the week MIchael McGreevey, a star at UC Santa Barbara and a former San Clemente High School standout, was selected in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

JT Schwartz (UCLA, Corona del Mar), Rodney Boone (UC Santa Barbara, Tustin High) and UCLA commits Eric Silva and Gage Jump, two talented pitchers out of JSerra, were among players drafted.

The draft selections were an indication of how strong baseball is in Orange County.

We believe our stories (which we published through the help of athletic communication departmnents at UCLA and UC Santa Barbara) deserve a second look:

Family ‘super proud’ of Matt McLain after he’s drafted by the Reds

UCLA’s Matt McLain, former Beckman star, drafted in first round by Reds

Matt McLain joined an elite group from Beckman and a former Tiller drafted

UCSB’s Michael McGreevy from San Clemente drafted in first round by Cardinals

CdM’s JT Schwartz from UCLA drafted by Mets in fourth round

Former Tustin High standout Rodney Boone, ace of UCSB staff, drafted by Indians

–Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com