Princeton's Hale Selected by Atlanta in Third Round

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Portions courtesy of MLB.com and Princeton Athletic Communications

David Hale left Georgia three years ago to play baseball at Princeton. On Tuesday he learned that the next step in baseball jersey will potentially keep him closer to home as his hometown Atlanta Braves selected him 87th overall in the third round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.

A short scouting video on Hale can be found in the 2009 Draft section at MLB.com.

Hale was ranked as the top prospect in the Ivy League in the preseason by Baseball America. This season he was 2-3 in seven starts on the mound with a 4.43 ERA in 40.2 innings of work. He struck out 47 batters in his eight appearances.

Hale becomes the fourth fifth highest Princetonian ever selected in the draft. Only B.J. Szymanski (#48 in 2004) and Thomas Pauly (#51 in 2003) have been drafted higher in the draft under its current format. Hale’s selection of 87th was two spots better than 89th overall, where current San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Young was selected in 2000. Princeton two other current Major Leaguers, Ross Ohlendorf and Will Venable, were chosen 116th and 218th respectively.

Other Ivies Drafted in 2009 MLB Draft

Ivy League Player of the Year, Dartmouth outfielder Nick Santomauro heads to the N.Y. Mets organization in the 10th round with the 314th pick.

Princeton pitcher Brad Gemberling went at pick 726 to the Arizona Diamondbacks (24th round).

Brown shortstop Matt Nuzzo was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 24th round, 730th pick overall.

Yale's Brandon Josselyn, the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year in 2009, heads to the Seattle Mariners with the 743rd selection (25th round).

Princeton catcher Jack Murphy was drafted in the 31st round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was the 940th pick overall.