Three Chips set to move on to major-league level
Three Chippewa baseball
players are looking to move on to the next level of baseball.
Pitcher Mike Steele and Catcher Shaun Gragg were selected
in the amateur baseball draft June 6, while Pitcher Mike Fawcett, drafted
in 1999, signed with the Cincinnati Reds last week.
Steele, a Midland senior, was selected in the 29th
round by the Detroit Tigers.
He posted an 8-1 record this past season along with
an ERA of 3.82. Steele also recorded 91 strikeouts in 77.2 innings pitched
and was a second team All-Mid-American Conference selection.
Gragg, a Grant senior, was selected in the 37th round
by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Gragg batted .293 this season with 14 home runs and
34 RBIs. Gragg also threw out 12-of-32 runners in attempting to steal.
Fawcett, a Marquette senior, posted an 8-2 record this
year, along with a 4.40 ERA.
The Chippewas finished the season as co-champions of
the MAC's West Division with an 18-8 record and a 41-17 overall record.
Central was eliminated from the MAC Tournament after
posting a 1-2 mark.
"It's great for those young men. That's what they've
worked for all their lives," CMU Head Coach Judd Folske said.
"The programs are getting quality athletes and competitors.
They will be able to hold their own when they report to their teams,"
Folske said.
"This is good exposure for recruiting because the kids
are following the draft and they recognize that the program is producing
major league prospects."
Steele, Gragg and Fawcett were unavailable for comment
at press time as they were in process of reporting to their respective
teams.
