North Carolina State University Athletics
Rogers, Sterry Await Baseball Draft
6/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 7, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - After seeing NC State's season end at the Coral Gables NCAA Regional over the weekend, at least two Wolfpack players will be keeping close tabs on baseball's First-Year Player Draft, which begins today at 1:00 p.m. Pitchers Michael Rogers and Vern Sterry, who combined to win 18 games for the Pack this season, are both expected to be scooped up at some point during the draft.
Rogers, a redshirt sophomore, is draft eligible and is projected as one of the top college pitchers available. During a year in which he posted a 9-4 mark with a 3.08 ERA, the right-hander was named ACC Pitcher of the Week a school record five times. With a fastball that's been timed in the low 90s and a better than average curve, Rogers is expected to go in the early rounds, despite the fact that he was knocked around by Miami in his final start of the season on Saturday.
Sterry, who was 9-2 with a 2.20 ERA as a senior, will be looking to be drafted for the second straight year. A 16th round pick of the Oakland Athletics a year ago, the California right-hander most likely improved his draft status by returning for his senior campaign at NC State.
Rogers, who has two years of college eligibility remaining, will be confronted with a similar decision in coming days.
Sterry was one of six Wolfpack players who were selected last year, but was the only underclassman to return. Drafted as juniors, catcher Colt Morton (Padres) and outfielder Joe Gaetti (Rockies) signed professional contracts following the draft. Seniors Jeremy Dutton (Mariners), Chad Orvella (Devil Rays) and Justin Riley (Phillies) were also taken in the 2003 draft.
The San Diego Padres own the first pick this year.
