Texas focuses on college pitchers during draft’s second day

The Texas Rangers drafted four college pitchers on Friday, three of whom are strong candidates to play for the Spokane Indians this summer.

After selecting high school players with their first three picks in the Major League Baseball Draft, which started Thursday with two rounds and continued Friday with eight rounds, the Rangers took left-handed pitchers Brett Martin of Walters State (Tennessee) Community College and Wes Benjamin of Kansas with back-to-back picks. Benjamin had Tommy John surgery in mid-April, so Texas must wait to see his potential.

The Rangers also took right-handers Nick Green of Indian Hills (Iowa) CC in the seventh round and Erik Swanson of Iowa Western CC in the eighth.

Other draftees who could be assigned to Spokane: third baseman Jose Trevino, Oral Roberts, sixth round; center fielder Doug Votoloto, Central Arkansas, ninth; and catcher Seth Spivey, Abilene (Texas) Christian, 10th.

The draft ends today with rounds 11-40.

The Indians will begin Northwest League Class A short-season play at 6:30 p.m. Friday with the first game of a five-game series against Eugene at Avista Stadium.