Lobo slugger, two pitchers picked in MLB Draft

Staff Report

Three former UNM baseball players may get the chance to continue their careers as members of Major League Baseball teams.

Chris Carlson, Nate Melek and Danny Ray Herrera were selected on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday.

Carlson, a standout designated hitter for the Lobos, was drafted No. 862 in the 29th round by the Detroit Tigers. Carlson garnered many awards in his three seasons at UNM. He was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American first team twice, as well as making the ESPN All-Academic first team as a junior last season. He was named All-Academic second team his sophomore year.

Carlson is also a two-time All-Mountain West Conference player and MWC All-Tournament selection. During his junior season, he hit .366 with 63 runs, 21 home runs and 79 RBIs. He ranked third in the nation in RBIs per game, as well as sixth in the nation in home runs per game. Carlson also set a school record in career slugging percentage by slugging .736, and his 21 home runs last season are the third highest total in UNM history.

Melek was selected 1,289th overall in the 43rd round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Melek, a senior pitcher, spent his only season with UNM this year and compiled a 5-6 record with a 7.77 ERA in 90 1/3 innings pitched.

Hererra, the ace of the Lobos' pitching staff this season, was drafted 1,345th overall in the 45th round by the Texas Rangers. Herrera had his breakout season this year as a junior, going 10-0 with a 2.24 ERA. Herrera threw three complete games and one shutout this year. His 10 wins ranked 11th best in the nation, while his 2.24 ERA was 31st. His ERA was tops in the MWC, as was his 128 1/3 innings pitched. Herrera became only the second pitcher at UNM to go undefeated in a season with at least eight decisions.

Herrera is fifth all-time on the Lobos' career strikeout list with 222.

Herrera also got plenty of

attention for his work this season, sharing MWC Pitcher of the Year honors with Jake Arrietta of Texas Christian University. He was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American second team, as well as making the All-MWC team and earning All-MWC Tournament honors. Herrera is in the running for the CSTV Player of the Year thanks to his stellar season.

Including Herrera, Melek and Carlson, 34 UNM players have been drafted in the 17 years that Rich Alday has been head coach.