San Marcos, Texas – Third baseman Kyle Kubitza, pitcher Carson Smith and first baseman Casey Kalenkosky were all drafted on day two of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. Kubitza was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the third round with the 115th overall pick, while Smith was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the eighth round with the 243rd overall pick. Kalenkosky had his named called in the 13th round by the Washington Nationals as the 397th overall pick.
With his third-round selection, Kubitza became the highest Bobcat draft pick since 2000 when Blake Williams was selected with the 24th pick of the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Kubitza is the third highest draft pack in Texas State history behind Williams and Scott Linebrink (1997, 56th overall pick in the second round, San Francisco Giants) and the highest position player ever selected from Texas State.
Kubitza, Smith and Kalenkosky became the 44th, 45th and 46th players to be drafted from Texas State in the MLB First-Year Player Draft since 1985. The trio of juniors is also gives head coach Ty Harrington 25 players drafted since he took over the baseball program in 2000.
This marks just the second time in Texas State history that two Bobcats have been drafted in the first 10 rounds. The only other time it happened was in 2009 when Paul Goldschmidt was taken in the eighth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Ben Theriot was taken one round later in the ninth by the Kansas City Royals.
Other previous selections for the Bobcats in the first 10 rounds of the draft include Williams, Linebrink, Jason Martinson (2010, fifth round, Washington Nationals) and Darren Dreyer (1992, seventh round, Chicago Cubs).
A three-year starter for the Bobcats, Kubitza finished the 2011 season with a .310 batting average to go along with 10 home runs, 66 RBIs, 59 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 12 doubles and a team-high seven triples. His 66 RBIs were the fifth most in a single-season in Texas State history, while his seven triples tied the single-season record. Kubitza also walked 54 times during the season, the second highest total in the team's history.
Recently named to the Austin Regional All-Tournament Team, Kubitza was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team for the second straight season this year.
For his career, Kubitza ranks as the Bobcat leader in walks with 125 and is second in Texas State history in both home runs (27) and RBIs (145). He has also established himself in the top-10 in triples (tied for third, 10), hits (seventh, 181), runs scored (seventh, 142) and doubles (tied for ninth, 33).
This season, Smith was the ace of the Texas State pitching staff, finishing with a 9-3 record, 1.99 ERA and 129 strikeouts in a team-high 113 1/3 innings on the mound. Smith held opponents to a .216 batting average collectively and allowed just two home runs during the season. The 6-foot-5 right hander's ERA and strikeouts this season were both single-season bests for the Texas State baseball program.
Smith has already collected Louisville Slugger All-America Second Team honors this season in addition to being named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season. Three national publications dubbed Smith their national player of the week after a career-high 14 strikeout performance earlier this season against UTSA, and he was named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week on three different occasions.
During his two-year career, Smith has already climbed into the top-10 in career ERA (second, 2.52), shutouts (tied for third, 3) strikeouts (fourth, 223), wins (tied for seventh, 19) and innings pitched (seventh, 218).
Kalenkosky joined the Bobcats this season after spending two years at Cisco Junior College. He made an immediate impact for Texas State, leading the team in home runs (21), doubles (17) and RBIs (69) while also posting a .327 batting average with 59 runs scored and six stolen bases from the middle of the order. His 21 home runs were the sixth most in the nation leading up to the NCAA Regionals and set a Texas State single-season record, surpassing the previous mark set by Luke Cannon in 2006 and tied by Paul Goldschmidt in 2009. Kalenkosky's 160 total bases were also the second most in a single season, while his 69 RBIs rank tied for third on the single-season chart.
An All-Southland Conference First Team selection, Kalenkosky was named the MVP of the Southland Conference Tournament as he led the Bobcats to their first SLC Tournament championship since 2000.
Kyle Kubitza
On hearing his name called
It was very exciting to hear my name called. There were lots of emotions. My phone has been going off nonstop since I got the news with all of my family and friends calling to congratulate me. I'm just excited to be a part of the Braves organization.
On where he was selected
It was around where we were thinking. I didn't know Atlanta was going to take me, but I was just hoping for the best. I had been talking to the area scout for the past few days, and it was refreshing to have them choose me.
On the anticipation of the draft
It was the least amount I slept all year. I was thinking about what could happen and what might happen. It has just been an exciting day, and it's a big relief now.
Carson Smith
On the day leading up to the draft
I woke up and went out to breakfast with some friends and coaches, and then I just watched and waited. I was going to be excited no matter where I went, but it was great hearing my name called as part of the Seattle Mariners organization.
On if he knew the Mariners were going to take him
I heard from the Mariners that where interested in taking me a little earlier in the draft, so I had a feeling that might take me when it came to them in the eighth round.
On the draft experience
I watched all night last night to see who was going where, and then I obviously watched today, too. There were a couple of players with the last name Smith called before me, so it was really exciting when I heard Smith with Carson for the first name. It was a really good feeling.
On the next step
We should figure that out in the next couple of days or so. Right now I'm just enjoying the moment.
Casey Kalenkosky
On his experience leading up to having his name called
I was watching and listening online with some of the other guys on the team and was so excited to get my name called. It was a relief because this is something I've worked towards for all my life. The whole experience today was a good one.
On if his selection by Washington came as a surprise
It was little bit of a shocker because I hadn't talked to them as much as I've talked to some other teams, but I was told that I was going to go somewhere around that area, so it was just great to hear my name called.
On what has taken place since hearing his name
I briefly talked to one of the area scouts about it, but that's it. I'm just trying to relax and enjoy it right now.
