Mariners Select Franklin Pierce’s Savastano in 28th Round
Ravens All-American shortstop
becomes 15th MLB
draft pick in program history
Information Provided By Franklin Pierce Sports
Information
RINDGE, N.H. (June 6, 2008) – Franklin Pierce University
junior All-America shortstop Scott Savastano (Plymouth,
Mass./Plymouth North) had his name called during Major League
Baseball’s (MLB) First Year Player Draft for the third time
in four years when the Seattle Mariners selected him in the 28th
round (852 overall) during day two of the draft this afternoon.
The selection is the 15th in program history (all since 2001) for
Franklin Pierce and head coach Jayson King. The Ravens 15 picks
since 2001 rank second only to Boston College (21) in New England
collegiate circles. Three of those 15 draft choices have been by
the Seattle Mariners, including Franklin Pierce’s first ever
draft pick, Justin Blood (9th round in 2001), and Keith Renaud
(10th round) last season.
Savastano’s 28th round selection marks the second-straight
year he has gone in that round as the Cleveland Indians made him
their 28th pick (857 overall) as a draft-eligible sophomore last
June. Savastano opted to return for his junior season after missing
the bulk of his sophomore season due to injury. He was a 33rd round
draft choice of the Chicago White Sox out of high school in
2005.
“Scott has had a great career at Franklin Pierce thus
far,” said King. “If he decides to return to play for a
national championship next season, that would be great. If not, I
know he will be a great pro.”
Savastano, selected to the ABCA/Rawlings All-America second team
and NCBWA All-America third team, was also a consensus All-Region
first team selection after a tremendous junior season. He was one
of just two players to start all 58 games for Franklin Pierce this
season and led the Ravens with a .390 batting average (83-for-213)
with 65 runs scored, 20 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, nine
stolen bases and 45 RBI this spring. He set a program record by
drawing 46 walks, posting a .502 on-base percentage and .629
slugging percentage.
Savastano ranked among national leaders in walks (15th) and walks
per game (21st), while leading the Northeast-10 in on-base
percentage, runs scored, doubles, walks and total bases (134). He
also ranks among NE-10 leaders in batting average (4th), slugging
percentage (2nd), hits (3rd), RBI (5th) and home runs (3rd).
Savastano is a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection for the Ravens,
earning first team honors this season after being a second-team
pick in 2006 when he also earned NE-10 Freshman of the Year honors.
He has earned All-Tournament team honors at the NCAA Northeast
Regional all three years.
Savastano earned the New England Collegiate Baseball
League’s (NECBL) Most Improved Player award after a strong
season with the Pittsfield (Mass.) Dukes last summer. He led the
Dukes with a .348 (32-for-92) batting average in 24 games, adding
12 runs scored, six doubles, a triple, home run, three stolen bases
and 17 RBI after joining the squad in midseason. Savastano was
named NECBL Player of the Week honors on one occasion.
“It’s always a good feeling to get drafted and have
the chance to pursue your dreams of playing professional
baseball,” said Savastano. “I hoped I would improve
more on last year’s draft position, but I am looking forward
to playing pro ball and maybe catch up to (Keith)
Renaud.”
Savastano was part of a group of four Northeast-10 Conference
student-athletes selected this afternoon, joining Jim Fuller (NY
Mets, 21st round) and Michael Diaz (Houston Astros, 30th) from
Southern Connecticut State University and Pace University’s
Jack Cawley (Saint Louis Cardinals, 34th).
“It shows how good the Northeast-10 is and how much talent
is playing in the Conference,” said Savastano.
Franklin Pierce (43-15, 20-10 NE-10), ranked eighth in the final
pingbaseball.com Division II poll, 18th in the final Collegiate
Baseball magazine rankings and 20th in the NCBWA national poll,
captured its third straight NCAA Division II Northeast Regional
title, advancing to the Division II Baseball Championships for the
fourth time in program history. The Ravens reached the 40-win
plateau for the third straight year and had 30-plus wins for the
seventh straight season. The Ravens also win the NE-10 Tournament
championship for the second straight year and the third time in
four seasons.
