June 8, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV baseball team had good representation in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, having two current players and four incoming freshmen taken over the three-day event.

UNLV right-handed ace Tanner Peters was selected on the second day of the 2011 MLB Draft, taken by the Oakland Athletics' organization in the 16th round.

Peters is UNLV's highest draft selection since Kevin Skogley was taken in the 12th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2006 draft. He is the fifth Rebel player to be drafted by the A's since 1985, joining Zeke Parraz (2005), Ryan Ruiz (2004), Ryan Ludwick (1999) and Kevin Lofthus (1989).

Junior right hander Joe Robinson was taken in the 29th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robinson was 5-7 on the season with a 4.88 ERA in 15 starts. The Henderson native logged 90.1 innings on the year, including two complete games while striking out 35 batters. Robinson earned Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this season after throwing UNLV's first one-hitter in two years, leading the Rebels to a 4-1 win over New Mexico on April 30.

Four incoming freshmen that have committed and signed letters of intent to play for the Rebels in 2012 were taken this year. Rancho High School teammates Zak Qualls and Brandon Pletsch were taken in the 21st and 34th rounds respectively. Qualls, a left-handed pitcher with potential to be a weekend starter in his first year went to the Los Angeles Dodgers while Pletsch, a shortstop with speed and a knack for making contact went to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Las Vegas High School product Eric Fedde was drafted by San Diego in the 24th round. A right-handed pitcher with a plus slider is also considered to be in the mix for a weekend spot in 2012.

Scott Tomassetti, a catcher from Sierra Vista was plucked in the 46th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. Tomassetti was a four-year starter at SVHS, finishing his career hitting .449 with a team-leading 15 homers and 70 RBI while slugging .956 and carrying a .980 fielding percentage in his senior season.