Baseball's Chapman Taken In 4th Round Of MLB Draft
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 | Baseball
University of Florida junior left-hander Kevin Chapman (Coral Springs, Fla.) was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday afternoon by the Kansas City Royals. The first-team All-Southeastern Conference recipient was tabbed with the 119th choice.
Chapman has made a team-high 29 appearances for third-year head coach Kevin O'Sullivan and is 3-0 with a 1.28 earned run average. The southpaw has 11 saves, tied for second in the SEC, and a total that matches the fourth-most in a single-season by a Florida hurler. Over 42.1 innings, Chapman has registered 42 strikeouts, issued seven walks and limited opponents to a .179 batting average.
Chapman was UF's lone representative on the league's first team as a relief pitcher after going 3-0 with seven saves and a 1.59 earned run average in SEC play. He was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career on May 24 after helping the Gators clinch their first conference title since 2005 at No. 6 South Carolina.
Florida had one of its signees chosen during the opening round of the MLB Draft, as right-hander Karsten Whitson (Chipley, Fla./Chipley H.S.) was taken with the ninth pick by the San Diego Padres.
The first day consisted of the first 50 picks, including Round One and Compensation Round A. There were five minutes between first-round picks and one minute between all other selections. Rounds 2 through 30 will continue today, with Wednesday containing Rounds 31-50.
-UF-
