Texas Rangers Take Metcalf In 11th Round

June 8, 2004

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior Travis Metcalf was the first Jayhawk selected in Major League Baseball’s 2004 First Year Player Draft, which began Monday. Metcalf was chosen in the 11th round (321th pick) by the Texas Rangers.

“It is a great feeling to be drafted by such a great organization,” Metcalf said. “The Rangers have a great minor league system and I am very excited about the situation I have in front of me.”

Metcalf, a junior from Wamego, Kan., is the highest player to be drafted from KU since John Nelson went in the eighth round (254th pick) to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001. Nelson is currently listed as a middle infielder for the Cardinals’ Double-A team, Tennessee Smokies, in Kodak, Tenn.

Metcalf was drafted last season by the Minnesota Twins in the 38th round, but came back for his junior season and was named the best Defensive Third Baseman in the Big 12 Conference by Baseball America prior to the 2004 season.

An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection this season, Metcalf broke two Kansas homerun records including the 23-year old single season mark of 17 held by Russ Blaylock by hitting his 18th on May 9. He also broke Matt Gundelfinger’s 24-year-old career homerun record by hitting 29 in three seasons.

“I am one step closer to my ultimate goal,” Metcalf added.

The conclusion of the two-day First Year Player Draft will take place tomorrow, June 8, as MLB officials will direct rounds 19-50.