Day 2 big for locals

Friday’s second day of Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft was a banner one for local high school players.

Bryan Peterson, the top pick of six high school players chosen, has made his decision to turn pro.

The West Valley outfielder was selected 352nd overall in the 11th round by the Boston Red Sox. Peterson said he expects to sign today, fly next week to Boston for his physical and on to Fort Myers, Fla. to play for the rookie Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

“I want to get into the pro environment,” Peterson said. “It’s been a dream since I was little to play baseball for a living.”

Also drafted out of high school are Mt. Spokane’s Jarek Cunningham by Pittsburgh in the 18th round at No. 534; Central Valley’s Trevor Shull by Tampa Bay in the 19th round at No. 563; Ferris’ Beau Brett by the Kansas City Royals at No. 865; CV’s Rusty Shellhorn by the Chicago White Sox at No. 1,170; and Ferris’ Andrew Kittredge by the Seattle Mariners at 1,360.

The Royals also selected 2006 North Central graduate Brett Richardson at 1,015.

Across the state, the University of Washington had three players selected – left-hander Nick Haughian in the ninth round by Baltimore; right-hander Jorden Merry (Pasco) in the 14th round by the Chicago White Sox; and outfielder Kyle Conley (Richland) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round.

The highest area player drafted was Washington State senior third baseman Paul Gran, who was chosen 208th by the Florida Marlins. He is one of four Cougars selected Friday.

Gran was the Pacific-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. A native of Bothell, Wash., his .994 fielding percentage was a school single-season record. He committed just one error in 163 chances.

Gran batted .313 with 11 home runs and 55 runs batted in.

During a press conference, Gran expressed some surprise at Florida because they hadn’t talked with him recently. He said he heard first from his mother who was following the draft on-line. He said he expects to be assigned to Jamestown, N.Y. in the New York-Penn short-season A league.

“It’s definitely something I’ve been working toward for a long time and I’m excited to start playing again,” Gran said. “At the next level, I’m expected to move around a bit at multiple infield positions and maybe in the outfield.”

Peterson had signed to play for WSU. Given that his name wasn’t called on Thursday’s first day of the draft, he was wondering if that might be the route he’d be going.

“It was kind of tough,” he said. “I was almost certain I’d be drafted (Thursday). But I knew that, either way, if I went to college or to the pros it would be a great deal.”

Both he and his dad, Mike, said they were appreciative of the support the Cougars’ coaching staff of Donnie Marbut and Travis Jewett had given them regarding the ultimate decision.

Bryan Peterson said he’s excited to join the Red Sox and ready to leave home to begin his new career.

“They have probably the best organization, with the championships they’ve been winning,” he said.

Cunningham, Shull, Brett, Shellhorn and Kittredge were drafted low enough that they don’t anticipate signing. But simply being drafted is flattering.

“It’s very gratifying since he didn’t have his senior year,” Jarek’s dad, Mike, said.

He added that the family must await Pittsburgh’s pitch, but, “Arizona State is a good school to fall back on.”

Shull, who signed to play at Centenary in Louisiana, was something of a surprise.

“I’m as shocked as you are,” he said when he learned he’d been picked. “I don’t know what it all means. I think it’s smarter to play college first. But I’m extremely ecstatic right now.”

Brett said he is college-bound. Because of his age, he’s draft-eligible again after his sophomore year.

“If it were another school than USC, maybe it would be different,” said Brett, who is readying to play for the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Spokane RiverHawks. “It has the academics and athletics and after two years there, hopefully I’ll improve my draft status.”

Shellhorn said he thought he would be picked higher than the 39th round.

“It’s something I’m definitely proud of,” he said. “I’m leaning toward college right now, but if it’s a pretty offer I’ll sit down and take some time to think about it if I mean something to the White Sox organization.”

For Kittredge, the selection was largely symbolic.

“(Mariners scout Jim Fitzgerald) said he thought a local guy deserved to have his name called,” Kittredge said. “Unless something crazy happens with the Mariners, I’m probably going to be a Husky.”

Players have until Aug. 15 to sign. More than 1,500 players were drafted, and Spokane’s number may have been unprecedented

MLB draftees

Washington State – Paul Gran, sr., 3B, Florida (208th overall); James Murphy, sr., 1B, Philadelphia; Jayson Miller, sr., LHP, Anaheim; Matt Way, jr., LHP, San Francisco.

Gonzaga – Tyson Van Winkle, jr., C, Houston.

LC State – Kyle Green, sr., 3B, Arizona (348th); Matthew Fitts, sr., RHP, Oakland; Blaine Hardy, jr., LHP, Kansas City; Brent Wyatt, sr., SS, Detroit; Wayman Gooch, jr., RHP, Florida.