Four JSerra Alumni Drafted by MLB

Contributed by Amanda Samaan, JSerra Catholic High

Four former baseball players at JSerra, including three who helped the Lions to the 2009 Trinity League title, were selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.

“Obviously, a very exciting day for JSerra Catholic Athletics and the baseball program to see four Lions drafted in the MLB 2013 Player draft,” said Brett Kay, the JSerra baseball coach.

Recent graduate and 6-foot-4 outfielder, Dane McFarland was selected 360th  overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up his spot to play at Oregon in the fall. McFarland has one of the most enticing power/speed combos among the prep outfielders in the draft. With his huge frame he combines this with great bat speed to give him plus power.

Colton Plaia, a 2009 graduate who attended Loyola Marymount, was drafted for the second year in a row, this time by the New York Mets as the 446th pick. The catcher, leaving immediately for training camp, was said to have solid legs and is a durable receiver, with a tough presence and a plus-arm as his best tools.

Plaia, the oldest of three draftees off the 2009 JSerra roster, was also selected to play for the U.S. National team in 2012.

Another draftee is right-handed pitcher Reed Reily from the Class of 2010 who is at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; he was selected 549th overall by the Baltimore Orioles. 

Reily can touch the mid 90’s with his fastball and has a good amount of deception to go along with it. He complements his fastball with an 80-84 mph slider and a change-up he’ll throw in the low 80s.

JSerra’s final draftee was left-handed pitcher Cory Miller, also from the 2010 class. He is at Pepperdine. He was selected as the 482nd overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Miller, a three-year varsity letter winner and pitcher, also received two coaches awards and two of his team’s Cy Young Awards, set the school’s record for most saves in a season with four.

“All of them were outstanding young men while in our program and have the desire and work ethic to be able to have that great opportunity to get drafted,” Kay said. “It will be great to see those guys don the uniform at the next level and know that they were Lions.”