June 5, 2012

STANFORD, Calif.-- The second day of the Major League Baseball draft produced three more Cardinal draftees as Brett Mooneyham (3rd round), Kenny Diekroeger (4th round), and Jake Stewart (9th round) were all drafted on Tuesday.

Mooneyham, who missed last year after cutting his left middle finger in January, 2011, was drafted by the Nationals, returned this season and will start Saturday in the team's Super Regional at Florida State with a 7-5 record and 4.26 ERA in 14 starts. He ranks fourth in the Pac-12 with 90 strikeouts, having struck out at least seven in nine starts this year. In three years in the weekend rotation, the former honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection is 16-15 with a 4.53 ERA.

Said MLB.com's scouting report, “That left hand is capable of firing fastballs up to 92-93 mph with some tail and sink. His curve has the chance to be an above-average breaking ball, sharp and with plenty of depth. He mixes in a decent changeup, giving him a third Major League average or better offering.”

Diekroeger went in the fourth round to the Royals having made 167 career starts on the infield for the Cardinal. The former Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and former first team all-conference selection carries a .306 career average as a starter a second, short and third.

Said MLB.com, Diekroeger shows a solid hitting approach with excellent bat speed. He hasn't shown much power yet, but that bat speed should translate into more pop down the line... Defensively, he's shown above-average ability across the board, with a strong arm, good range and sure hands.”

Stewart, the team's center fielder the last three seasons, was drafted in the ninth round by the Tigers. The honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection last year has started 132 career games (146 total) in center. The team's leadoff hitter has a .290 average this year with 39 runs and seven home runs.

Major League Draft Picks in 2012
Mark Appel, No. 8 to Pirates (1st round)
Stephen Piscotty, No. 36 to Cardinals (1st round)
Brett Mooneyham, No. 111 to Nationals (3rd round)
Kenny Diekroeger, No. 133 to Royals (4th round)
Jake Stewart, No. 304 to Tigers (9th round)