Shreve selected by Braves in MLB Draft
By Dan Cabrera, Sports Information
Monday, June 11, 2007
HENDERSON – The 16th-ranked College of Southern Nevada baseball team produced yet another quality draft pick for major league scouts to follow during the 2007 season.
Right-handed pitcher Colby Shreve was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the eighth round of the 50-round Major League Baseball Amateur Draft last week.
"It feels awesome," Shreve said of being drafted. "This is something that I've worked at since I was about 3 years old. It's a great opportunity with a great organization, and I'm really excited.
"(The Braves) are known for developing pitchers, so it's a natural fit for me."
Unlike four of his freshmen teammates, Shreve was not drafted straight out of high school. Shreve was the highest player to be drafted on the collegiate level statewide, beating out three Western Nevada pitchers, three Nevada Wolf Pack pitchers, and two pitchers and a first baseman from UNLV. He was also the highest drafted CSN player to go in the MLB draft since Jordan Parraz was selected in the 3rd round by the Houston Astros in 2004.
"Shreve is one of the top prospects ever to come through CSN," coach Tim Chambers said. "Should he return next season, he could improve his stock and possibly go in the first two or three rounds next year."
Chambers adds that Shreve improved tremendously in his first year with the Coyotes. Play-by-play announcer Dan Cabrera agreed.
"Colby was exciting to watch from the box all season long," said Cabrera. "He's a great pitcher with great control on the mound. Whether he decides to go or stay, I wish him the best of luck and, just like our fans, I hope to see him back one more year."
Shreve says his decision will not be influenced by the recent signing of Western Nevada left-handed pitcher Cole Rohrbough, who – according to their school web site – flew to Atlanta last Monday after returning from the JUCO World Series and signed a contract with the Braves for an estimated $728,000.
"That's a huge amount of money, and it's great for him. He deserved it," Shreve says. "I would be lying if I said I didn't want that much money. But as far as I'm concerned, I just want to reach a fair agreement for a reasonable amount of money."
Shreve says he hasn't been in contact with Atlanta since he was initially drafted last Thursday, but adds that there is no hurry at the present time since he and the Braves have until Aug. 15 to reach an agreement.
"Right now, I'm just excited to speak with the Braves," Shreve says, "and if it doesn't go as planned, I will pitch this summer and try to reach a contract by (the deadline)."
Several members of the 2008 CSN recruiting class were also drafted. Mike McDade – a first baseman slugger from Silverado High – was the highest drafted player in Southern Nevada at all levels. McDade was drafted 205th overall in the sixth round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Michael Blazek (Arbor View High, St. Louis Cardinals), Taylor Cole (Bishop Gorman High, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Terrell Alliman (Ontario, Canada, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) were also drafted.
Finally, four former CSN right-handed pitchers were also drafted. Jesse Craig (Brigham Young) was taken by the Cincinnati Reds, Craig Heyer (UNLV) by the New York Yankees, Steven Hirschfeld (San Diego State) by the Minnesota Twins, and Shawn Olsen (Southern California) was selected by the San Diego Padres.
