After a quiet start on the first day of the Major League Baseball draft, the Auburn baseball team was heard from early and often on the draft’s second day.
Freshman outfielder Brian Fletcher has accepted an invitation to attend USA Baseball’s 2008 National Team Trials, it was announced on Monday.
A total of seven current Tigers were selected by major league teams Friday.

It started with junior slugger Mike Bianucci, the 243rd overall selection. Bianucci, who hit 35 home runs in three seasons at AU, went to the Texas Rangers in the eighth round. He is expected to sign with the team, ending his Auburn career.

“I didn’t go where I wanted to go, but it is what it is and I am happy to play,” Bianucci said in a statement released by the school.

Junior left-hander Evan Crawford was also taken in the eighth round. The Toronto Blue Jays tabbed Crawford with the 249th overall pick.

The reliever, who had a 3-0 record and a team-best 2.42 ERA, is also expected to sign a contract.

“It was a load off my back and probably one of the best feelings I have ever had since I have been playing,” Crawford said in a statement released by AU.

The Tampa Bay Rays drafted junior shorstop Matt Hall with the first pick of the 10th round, No. 293 overall. Hall, an Arizona State transfer, hit .279 with four home runs and 27 RBI. He is also expected to sign.

“Going into the draft, I didn’t put any expectations on it,” Hall said. “I just went into it with the best mindset I could and be positive about the whole thing. Tampa is a great
organization.”

Right-hander Luke Greinke went in the 12th round to the New York Yankees, No. 380 overall. The junior, whose brother Zach is a starter for the Kansas City Royals, pitched and played center field for AU this season. He was 4-4 with a 4.64 ERA and hit .257 in 35 at-bats.

“It means a lot to be picked by the Yankees, because I know they take care of their guys and they have great tradition there,” Greinke said. “I have talked to them a lot and went to a couple of workouts for them and was always treated right, so I was happy to be picked up by them.”

Former Central standout Bryan Woodall, Auburn’s closer, was taken in the 21st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-handed junior had 11 saves — the fourth-highest single-season mark in Auburn history — and a 3.83 ERA.

“I (am) just excited to be drafted … which will give me a chance to play Major League Baseball,” Woodall said. “It is something I have always wanted to do.”

Sophomore Taylor Thompson, who is draft-eligible, was taken in the 25th round, No. 750 overall, by the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander was 3-6 last season with a 6.28 ERA.

AU has had at least one player taken in the past 34 MLB drafts. The Tigers have had 21 players taken since 2005, former coach Tom Slater’s first season.

Several other players with Auburn connections were also taken. Two AU signees were taken during the draft. Hoke’s Bluff left-hander Tyler Stovall went to the Atlanta Braves in the second round Thursday, while Faith Academy’s Steven Upchurch was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th.

Former Auburn second baseman Robert Brooks, who played just one season at Auburn due to academic issues, was taken by the Braves in the 20th round, No. 610 overall. Brooks spent last season at Lurleen B. Wallace Junior College in Andalusia.

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