June 6, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Catcher Kyle Day (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider), pitcher Mark Sorensen (Northville, Mich./Northville) and utility player Eric Roof (Paducah, Ky./St. Anne) were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Friday, June 6. Day was taken in the 12th round (359th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds, while Sorensen was drafted in the 32nd round (973rd overall) by the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, Spartan newcomer Jared McDonald (Tucson, Ariz./Pima CC) was selected in the 40th round by the Chicago Cubs (1,211th overall).

Day, a three-year starter at catcher, outfield and DH for MSU, had his best season as a Spartan in 2008. The junior batted a career-best .320 and posted career highs in home runs (9), RBI (48) and slugging (.543). Day also finished in a four-way tie for the Big Ten lead with 39 walks to help him to a team-leading .448 on-base percentage. Day's home run total was tied for eighth in the conference. The Indiana native hit .267 with seven home runs and 25 RBI in 30 Big Ten games.

"I'm blessed for this opportunity," Day said. "The Reds organization is a great organization. We had some positive conversations, and I feel like they know me and what I can do."

Day was drafted in the 19th round by the Chicago Cubs in last year's draft, but opted to return to Michigan State for his junior season. Last summer, Day played for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League, and was named to the league's all-star team.

"Playing in the `Cape' helped me get seen," Day said. "The best players go there. Being selected as an all-star definitely helped, too. Last year, I wanted to get back to school and get better behind the plate. Seeing more pitching definitely helped. Catching the top pitchers in the Cape Cod helped me handle the pitching staff at Michigan State."

"This is great news for Kyle," head coach David Grewe said. "By being the first catcher taken by the Reds, it shows the priority the organization has for him. His sophomore year he became a better defensive catcher, and after being drafted in the 19th round, he came to back to school, worked hard, and improved his draft position. He has the commitment to be successful at the next level."

Sorensen, a third-team All-Big Ten honoree who posted a 3-6 record with a 3.95 ERA this season, was one of Michigan State's weekend starting pitchers. He worked 54.2 innings, holding opponents to a .254 batting average. He led the team with two complete games and was the only starting pitcher in the Big Ten not to allow a home run this season. Some of Sorensen's best outings this season including a two-hitter with eight strikeouts at Northwestern on April 5 and an eight-strikeout effort over seven innings versus Iowa on April 26. Sorensen posted solid numbers in conference games, going 3-4 with a 3.92 ERA and a team-high 28 strikeouts.

Sorensen, a redshirt junior who has already earned a bachelor's degree in advertising, has an 8-12 career record with a 5.25 ERA over 157.2 innings. He redshirted last year after suffering an arm injury. He was a reliever and spot starter as a freshman before finding a role in the MSU starting rotation as a sophomore in 2006.

" After battling back from injury, I thought I had a good year and that helped me get drafted," Sorensen said. "I just wanted to show that I could pitch for a whole season and be effective."

"Mark is a character guy who bounced back from injury to be one of our top starters, week in and week out," Grewe said. "I'm proud of his persistence to get back on the mound and be successful. Mark has such a positive story - he earned his college degree, created his opportunities, and then took advantage of them."

Mark Sorensen was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round.

Eric Roof, who has played two years at Michigan State after transferring from St. Catharine College, played catcher, third base and designated hitter this season. Eric Roof, the older brother of Spartan shortstop Jonathan Roof, batted .308 with three homers and 33 RBI. One of his home runs was a key grand slam against Iowa on April 26. He also had four RBI in each of this season's games against Western Michigan. In Big Ten action, Eric Roof batted .296 with 17 RBI and tied for the team lead with four stolen bases.

"It goes to show what happens to a hard worker," Grewe said of Eric Roof. "He was one of the hardest working players on the team and always looking to improve. He developed as a catcher and emerged as one of our top hitters during the season. I'm proud of this recognition for Eric."

McDonald, who is part of MSU's 10-man recruiting class for the fall of 2008, was drafted by the Cubs after hitting .467 with 16 doubles and 41 RBI for Pima Community College in Arizona.

"Jared is a versatile player who can play multiple positions," Grewe said. "He definitely has an upside and could improve his stock even more in the future. This shows our junior college recruiting coordinator, Danny Lopaze, can evaluate talented players and bring them into our program."

A Michigan State baseball player has now been drafted 112 times dating back to 1906. Seven Spartans have been drafted over the past four seasons, including two in each of the past three seasons. Day is the first MSU player to be selected by Cincinnati since Mel Behney in 1970.