Two More Gators Taken In Major League Baseball Draft On Wednesday; 11 Selections Set School Record
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 | Baseball
Senior Bryson Smith (Watkinsville, Ga.) and junior Tyler Thompson (Tequesta, Fla.) were chosen on the final day of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday, bringing Florida's total to a school-record 11 selections over the three-day event. Head coach Kevin O'Sullivan had 19 draftees in his first three seasons at UF (three in 2008, 10 in 2009 and six in 2010). Before his arrival, the Gators' previous high number of picks was eight in both 1999 and 2002.
Smith was picked in the 34th round by the Cincinnati Reds at number 1045. In 43 games, including 38 starts, the center fielder is batting .305 with 35 runs, 19 RBI, 13 walks and 10 doubles. He was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team after going 9-for-22 (.409) over the five games with three RBI, a pair of doubles and two runs. Last week, Smith was a sizzling .545 (6-for-11) and scored six times as the Gators swept the NCAA Gainesville Regional. He had been previously drafted by Cleveland in the 30th round in 2009.
A member of last weekend's Regional All-Tournament Team who was taken in the 46th round by the Washington Nationals with the 1387th choice, Thompson has a .279 clip in 34 games. He has made 21 starts in the outfield and has 14 RBI, 10 runs, seven walks and five doubles. In UF's three victories to begin NCAA play, he batted .538 (7-for-13) with four RBI and four runs. Thompson was selected in the 42nd round of the 2008 MLB Draft by San Francisco.
The No. 1 Gators (48-16) will host No. 16 Mississippi State (37-23) in the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional at McKethan Stadium starting at noon on Friday, live on ESPN2. The winner of the best-of-three series will earn a trip to Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series.
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Current Gators Chosen In 2011 Major League Baseball Draft
| Player | Round | Pick | Team |
| Nick Maronde (LHP) | 3rd | 104th | L.A. Angels of Anaheim |
| Anthony DeSclafani (RHP) | 6th | 199th | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Alex Panteliodis (LHP) | 9th | 282nd | New York Mets |
| Tommy Toledo (RHP) | 11th | 341st | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Josh Adams (2B) | 13th | 403rd | Florida Marlins |
| Preston Tucker (1B/OF) | 16th | 498th | Colorado Rockies |
| Ben McMahan (C) | 23rd | 701st | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Matt Campbell (RHP) | 24th | 751st | Philadelphia Phillies |
| Greg Larson (RHP) | 29th | 885th | L.A. Angels of Anaheim |
| Bryson Smith (OF) | 34th | 1045th | Cincinnati Reds |
| Tyler Thompson (OF) | 46th | 1387th | Washington Nationals |
