June 6, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State University senior first baseman Jeff Phelps was selected in the 36th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the final day of the 2001 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Phelps became the eighth Sun Devil player to be selected in this year's draft, adding to the seven players that were selected in the first 20 rounds on Tuesday.
Phelps, who was also drafted out of high school in the same 36th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, finished a successful career at ASU this year by hitting .307 with two home runs, 20 doubles and 31 RBI. Hampered much of the season by a pulled hamstring, Phelps gutted it out to play in 50 of ASU's 58 games, making 47 starts. His 20 doubles led the team and tied for second most in the Pac-10. For his career, the Yuma, Ariz., native hit .334 (225x674) with 57 doubles, eight triples, 18 home runs and knocked in 160 runs.
Phelps' selection in the draft came one day after Jon Switzer (2nd round), Drew Friedberg (6th round), Chris Duffy (8th round), Brooks Conrad (8th round), Casey Myers (9th round), Mel Stocker (16th round) and Bryce Kartler (20th round) all went in the first 20 rounds on the first day of the two-day draft.
In addition to Phelps' selection on Wednesday, several other players with ASU connections were drafted. Infielder/catcher Nick Cadena of Apollo High School in Glendale was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 42nd round. Cadena has signed a letter of intent to play for ASU next year. Ryan Coffin (RHP) and Andre Ethier (OF), both players who played this past fall for ASU, were also selected in the draft. Coffin (29th round, Arizona) and Ethier (37th round, Oakland) both played this past spring at Chandler-Gilbert CC. Former Sun Devil catcher Trent Pratt, who transferred to Auburn this year, was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 34th round.
Copy By Jeff R. Evans
ASU Media Relations