Golden Panthers selected in 2009 MLB Player Draft

FIU second baseman Ryan Mollica and outfielder Greg Waddell were selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Waddell was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 39^th round (1163^rd), while Mollica was drafted by the New York Mets in the 47^th round (1424^th). Waddell and Mollica join Tyler Townsend (3^rd round) and Tom Ebert (19^th round) as Golden Panthers taken in this year’s draft. The four players drafted is the most FIU has had since four players were selected in the 2003 draft.

In limited playing time, Greg Waddell showed tremendous potential, hitting .414 in 2009 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and a .671 slugging percentage. At one point in the year, Waddell tied a school record by hitting safely in eight consecutive at-bats.

Ryan Mollica is one of the best hitters FIU has seen, hitting .352 this past year after hitting .413 as a junior. After a 2008 season that saw Mollica hit .504 in conference games, the second baseman showed more power in ’09, belting nine home runs and driving in 51. Mollica was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team after 2008 and 2009. Before his senior season, Mollica was named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watchlist.

FIU signees Josh Garton, Jabari Henry and Alberto Cardenas were also selected in the 2009 draft. Garton, an outfielder from Volunteer State Community College, went in the 12^th round to the Reds.  Henry, an outfielder from Olympia High School in Orlando, was picked up by Texas in round 39, while Cardenas, a pitcher from Palmetto Ridge HS, was selected in the 50^th round by the Minnesota Twins.