Auburn in the MLB Draft

Hey everyone. A few fellas with Auburn ties have heard their name called during the Major League Baseball draft, which began yesterday ... but remains underway.

•IF Joseph Sanders, a Stanhope Elmore High graduate, went in the 5th round (151st overall) to the Colorado Rockies. They listed him as a third baseman. That's a swell organization for hitters.

The Rockies have been jocking Sanders for years. Their area scout, Damon Iannelli, first met Sanders during the summer before his senior year at SEHS and has been in periodic contact ever since. Sanders was flown to Denver last week for a workout at Coors Field.

•SS Nick Franklin, an Auburn baseball signee from suburban Orlando, was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the first round. Don't plan on seeing him at Plainsman Park.

•C Lucas Bailey, an Auburn baseball signee from LaGrange, Ga., was selected in the fourth round (139th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays. He is technically out of action after undergoing elbow surgery. That apparently didn't sour the Rays. I'd guess that he'll end up signing a contract, but the injury may produce a low-ball offer that leads him to college. Who knows?

•OF Brandon Jacobs, a football signee from suburban Atlanta, was taken in the 10th round (318th overall) by the Boston Red Sox. They listed him as a left fielder. Will that slot be worth enough to woo him away from football? That depends on what the Red Sox offer.

UPDATE: Jacobs has told our friends at AuburnSports.com that he plans to sign with the Red Sox in short order for what he said was "second-round money." That's a wrap, Auburn fans.

•SP Drew Madrigal, a baseball signee from California, was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round. Since he's a junior-college kid, I'd think he'll take a careful look at the money San Diego offers.

•SP Garrett Bush, a baseball signee from Jacksonville, Fla., was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round. I'd normally say this is the range where players typically opt for college ball, but I thought the same thing about Jake Peavy in 1999. Then he signed with the Padres.

•RP Scott Shuman, an Auburn junior, was selected by the Rays in the 19th round.