College players highlight Cardinals draft

June 10, 2004 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have selected 47 players in the 2004 First Year Player Draft, highlighted by the selection of 43 college players.

Headlining the draft for the Cardinals are several notable names. In the 1st round (19th overall), St. Louis chose Chris Lambert (RHP) from Boston College. Lambert is one of only three players to twice win the Big East Pitcher of the Year Award, and is a three-time All-Big East First Team selection. With their 2nd round selection, St. Louis picked Michael Ferris (1B) out of Miami University (Ohio). Ferris was named the Mid-Atlantic Conference Player of the Year after he batted .361 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI for the Red Hawks. Billy Becher (1B) from New Mexico St. University was selected in the 22nd round after being named to the 2003 and 2004 TPX/Louisville Slugger All-America and the USA Today/Sports Weekly All-America First Teams. The senior set school records in home runs (57) and RBI (208) in only two seasons.

Several New Jersey college products were also selected. Chris Noonan (LHP) from Seton Hall was picked in the 17th round, Chris Della Rocco (RHP) in the 36th round from Monmouth University and Gregg Pleeter (RHP) in the 45th round out of Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Cardinals also tabbed Tulane Universitys Wes Swackhamer (OF), a 2001 graduate of Delbarton High, in the 5th round.

Other notable selections include Josh Hoffpauir (2B) and Matthew Shepherd (SS), both 2004 All-Americans from Southern Miss, Donnie Smith (RHP), the 2004 ERA champ in the Colonial Athletic Association, and Eric Haberer (RHP), the Cardinals 3rd round pick and an all-conference selection out of Southern Illinois University.

For further information, contact the New Jersey Cardinals office at 973-579-7500.



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