Famous names go on second day of baseball draft

NEW YORK — A few more famous names from the past highlighted the second day of the baseball draft, with a number of sons of former major leaguers selected.

The sons of former Cy Young award winners Bret Saberhagen and Frank Viola were among those taken in the draft Tuesday, as were the sons of Boston manager Terry Francona, Chicago White Sox general manager Ken Williams and former NFL star Jim Burt.

Wally Backman, remembered most for his all-out style of play while helping the New York Mets win a World Series title in 1986, was watching the draft unfold on the Internet when his son, Wally Jr., was chosen by Texas in the 30th round — No. 891 overall.

Wally Jr. is a shortstop for Crook County High School in Oregon.

Nick Francona, a Pennsylvania high school left-hander, was selected in the 40th round by Boston — the team his father manages.

Boston kept it in the family with a few more picks, drafting Alabama high school right-hander Tyler Latham, the son of Red Sox scout and former big leaguer Bill Latham, in the 43rd round; and California prep third baseman Beau Mills, son of bench coach Brad Mills, in the 44th round.

Drew Saberhagen, a high school left-hander and first baseman from California, was selected in the 38th round by Oakland. The White Sox drafted Frank Viola III, a right-hander — unlike his dad — from Florida Community College in the 29th round.

Jim Burt Jr., a star first baseman at the University of Miami, went in the 19th round — with the third pick of the second day — to the New York Mets. He leads the Hurricanes in hitting (.374), home runs (14), doubles (24), RBIs (71), slugging percentage (.692) and on-base percentage (.466).

California prep shortstop Andrew Romine, the son of former outfielder Kevin Romine, was chosen by Philadelphia in the 36th round; and New Hampshire right-hander Andy Gale, the son of former pitcher Rich Gale, was selected in the 43rd by Montreal.