by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Despite being drafted by the Texas Rangers on June 7, Danny Ray Herrera isn't leaving UNM.
The standout pitcher for the Lobo baseball team will be returning for his senior season in 2007, after his breakout campaign in 2006.
Still, Herrera said he was happy to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team.
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"It's a pretty exciting feeling," Herrera said.
He was surprised to get drafted since he was staying with the Lobos for one more season, he said. He told a Rangers' scout about his decision a day before the draft, but the scout told him he probably wouldn't be selected.
However, the Rangers took Herrera with the 1,345th overall pick on June 7 and told him they would be interested in him in next year's draft as well.
Although he will be playing college baseball for one more season, Herrera said he was thrilled to be drafted by Texas because he grew up as a Rangers fan.
Since he decided to stay at UNM for the 2007 season, he is not part of the Rangers and could be drafted by any team next year. While he is a Rangers fan, Herrera said he would be happy to play with any Major League team next summer.
"We'll see what teams are interested in me next year, and we'll take it from there," he said.
Herrera said he decided to play one more season at UNM because the experience can help him in the future.
"I had a ton of time to think about it before the draft," Herrera said. "I just thought, overall, the best situation would be for me to get one more year of college and one more year of school. If my baseball career expands further from this, then that'd be great."
Herrera had a stellar season pitching for UNM in 2006 as a junior, posting impressive numbers. He went 10-0 with a 2.24 ERA, while throwing three complete games and a shutout. His 10 victories ranked No. 11 in the country and his 2.24 ERA was 31st in the nation.
Thanks to those numbers, he was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American second team and is a candidate for the CSTV Player of the Year award. Herrera also shared Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year honors with Jake Arrietta of Texas Christian University and made the All-MWC team and All-MWC Tournament team.
Herrera said he is proud of his achievements.
"I recently took a look at what I did, and I'm really, really pleased with what I did, and hopefully I can repeat that next year," he said.
