Conference

RICHARDSON, Texas –– Concordia University Texas junior Michael Johnson and University of Texas at Tyler senior Brett Holland – both right-handed pitchers – were selected in Major League Baseball’s 2009 First-Year Player Draft, which began Tuesday and concluded on Thursday.

Johnson was selected on the second day by the New York Mets in the 24th round (734 selection overall), while Holland was picked on the final day by the San Diego Padres in the 49th round (1,464 selection overall). They were two of 19 players from NCAA Division III selected this season. Johnson was the fourth-highest selection.

The American Southwest Conference’s all-time draft pick total is now at 17 players, while five have signed free agent contracts – all since 1999. The conference’s first season of baseball was in 1997. Johnson became the first player from Concordia drafted since it entered the ASC, while Holland became the first player from the league to be drafted twice, as he was nabbed by the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but opted to return for his senior season with the Patriots. Holland is also the fourth Texas-Tyler draft pick over the past three seasons, joining right-handed pitcher Nathan Jennings and first baseman Brett Amyx from 2007.

The 5-10, 180-pound Johnson (Bellaire, TX / San Jacinto JC) went 7-2 with a 2.38 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 68 innings of work this season. His 14.43 strikeouts per nine innings average ranked him third in the nation. Johnson won ASC West Division pitcher and newcomer of the year honors.

The 6-1, 185-pound Holland (Lindale, TX / LHS) went 9-5 with a 3.24 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 86 innings to guide UT Tyler to its first American Southwest Conference championship. The ASC East Division Pitcher of the Year’s strikeout total was the third-highest in all of Division III.

ALL-TIME MLB DRAFT PICKS/FREE AGENT SIGNEES
FROM AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEMBERS

To view all players from NCAA Division III to be drafted this year: click here