June 4, 1999

LAS VEGAS - Six UNLV players were chosen by six different teams as part of the 1999 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which was completed Thursday.

Star outfielder Ryan Ludwick became the first player taken from the Western Athletic Conference when the Oakland Athletics drafted him in the second round as the 60th player overall.

Although the Hustlin' Rebels were not heard from again until the 17th round, the Mariners' selection of junior first baseman Brian Hertel set off a flurry of UNLV picks. In fact, five Rebels went between the 17th and 27th rounds in the 50-round event.

Senior shortstop Eliott Sarabia went in the 20th round to the Pirates, junior outfielder James Close went two rounds later to the Marlins, junior pitcher Toby Harris went in the 24th round to the Angels and outfielder senior Chris Adolph closed things out when he was selected in the 27th round by the Pirates.

Every school in the 16-team league, except Air Force, had at least one player chosen. Rice led all schools with 10 players drafted of the 31 WAC players taken overall.

PLAYER, POS, HOMETOWN        TEAM       RD (NO)Ryan Ludwick, OF, Las Vegas Athletics   2  (60)Brian Hertel, 1B, Fresno, CA    Mariners    17 (515)Eliott Sarabia, SS, Rialto, CA  Pirates     20 (602)James Close, OF,Issaquah, WA    Marlins     22 (656)Toby Harris, RHP, Las Vegas Angels      24 (718)Chris Adolph, OF, Fresno, CA    Padres      27 (832)