June 3, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior RHP Ryan Braun, junior LHP Robbie Van, junior first baseman Fernando Valenzuela and junior outfielder Patrick Dobson were all selected in the 2003 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

UNLV has had at least one player selected in the Major League Baseball draft for the last 19 years.

Braun was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 106th overall pick (6th round). He finished the 2003 season with a team-best 3.44 ERA. In 28 appearances, he put together a 5-3 record with seven saves. With 53 strikeouts and only 18 walks, he was named first team All-Mountain West Conference. Braun was also drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 21st round of the 1998 draft.

Van was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 246th overall pick (8th round). He finished the season with a 9-4 record and a 4.51 ERA. He pitched 103.2 innings with a team-high 97 strikeouts and was named second team All-MWC. Van was also drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 21st round of the 2000 draft.

Valenzuela was selected by the San Diego Padres with the 281st pick (10th round). He hit .337 (82-for-243) in 2003 with 20 doubles and 14 home runs. He finished the season errorless at first base with 516 chances and was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. Valenzuela's father, Fernando Valenzuela Sr., played for the Padres from 1995-97.

Dobson was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 543rd pick (18th round). He hit .358 (86-for-240) with 20 doubles and 12 home runs in 2003. He was named the Mountain West Conference Tournament MVP and second team All-MWC.

Rounds 1-20 took place on Tuesday and rounds 21-50 will follow on Wednesday.