2006 Baseball Draft

[Kernel]

Jason Fernandez was selected by Oakland in the 11th round

[ulforlife]

Jason Fernandez was just taken in round 11 as the 338th overall pick.

Does anybody know what kind of money he is looking at? Will it be enough for him to leave?

we need jason. hopefully it wont be enough. he should know that after a year of improvement he will go higher next year

[Rebel02]

Jason Fernandez was just taken in round 11 as the 338th overall pick.

Does anybody know what kind of money he is looking at? Will it be enough for him to leave?

Judging by Fernandez's comments in the Advertiser, I don't think he was drafted high enough to leave.

"I'm getting some calls from clubs, and they're talking about the top 10 rounds," Fernandez said Monday. "This is all new to me. The draft's so crazy. But I've told the clubs that called that they better come after me hard, because I have unfinished business at UL.

[CajunProud]

we need jason. hopefully it wont be enough. he should know that after a year of improvement he will go higher next year

For purely selfish reasons, I hope that he does not go. However, if that is what he chooses, then I wish him the best of luck.

There is no gurantee that he will go higher next year. In fact, unless he is undefeated with a minisule ERA, he probably goes even lower or if he doesn't go lower, it would be for less money since he does not have another year of college baseball to use as a barganing chip. He could also get hurt next year and then he would really be up the creek. I guess it all depends on how much he is offered.

[LongTimeCajun]

Chad Beck just went in the 14th round.

[Cajun Express]

For purely selfish reasons, I hope that he does not go. However, if that is what he chooses, then I wish him the best of luck.

There is no gurantee that he will go higher next year. In fact, unless he is undefeated with a minisule ERA, he probably goes even lower or if he doesn't go lower, it would be for less money since he does not have another year of college baseball to use as a barganing chip. He could also get hurt next year and then he would really be up the creek. I guess it all depends on how much he is offered.

Jason ended the season at .286 ERA very strong, but he could be better. As for season ending or career ending injuries vs getting the degree? The injury could come at any time, and 50k just isn't going to set you up for life. I agree unless he gets picked several spots higher the money will not be better next season, like you say no leverage. , but he could be a stonger more mature pitcher after next season vs being a cog in the minor leagues.

He should do what he and his parents after careful evaluations determine is best for his future. There are no guarrantees in life and you only go around once, and mistakes in your youth can be repaired easier than later on in life.

[Boomer]

Chad Beck just went in the 14th round.

with the new rules covering the number of hours that can be made up in a Summer session---Could this kid be eligible next year?????

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns baseball standout Jason Fernandez was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The junior from Baton Rouge was selected 338th overall by the Oakland Athletics. Fernandez posted a 9-2 record on the season with a 2.86 earned run average. The hurler made 16 appearances with 14 starts serving as the Ragin’ Cajuns’ Sunday starter. He threw 91.1 innings including three complete games. Fernandez led all UL pitchers with 101 strikeouts. Opponents batted just .233 against the right hander. He surrendered 77 hits on the season, and gave up just 15 extra base hits. For his work throughout the season, Fernandez was named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week twice during the season. Fernandez was the 30th player drafted under head coach Tony Robichaux. Joining Fernandez as a first day draftee was former Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher Chad Beck. He was selected with the 417th overall pick in the 14th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Beck left the UL baseball team due to academic reasons. While with the Cajuns, Beck was the primary closer for the baseball team. He made 25 appearances out of the bullpen – tops for any Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher. Beck had a 2-2 record with a team high five saves on the year. He boasted an ERA of 3.23, allowing just 13 runs in 30.2 innings pitched while striking out 38. Opponents batted just .206 against the junior. The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continues on Wednesday, June 7. For live draft coverage, go to www.mlb.com. LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

Jason Fernandez now has a decision to make. The University of Louisiana pitcher was picked in the 11th round of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft Tuesday, being tabbed by the Oakland A's, and will be deciding between an immediate pro career or a return for his senior Ragin' Cajun season. The Baton Rouge native, undrafted both out of high school and in his two years at Delgado Junior College, said Tuesday he hopes to make that decision within the next two weeks. But Tuesday was more a day for celebration than decision. "My dad and I just hugged for a long time," Fernandez said after his name came up as the 338th overall pick. "It's something I've wanted my entire life, and just seeing the smile on my parents' faces, that's when it really hit home." Fernandez was one of two Cajun pitchers to be picked in short order Tuesday on the first day of the annual June draft of amateur talent. Junior Chad Beck, UL's closer much of the year before becoming academically ineligible late in the season, was picked in the 14th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 417th overall pick. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[BleedsTabasco]

with the new rules covering the number of hours that can be made up in a Summer session---Could this kid be eligible next year?????

I hope everything works out for Chad in the Minors and he can get on with that phase of his life. Although he was indeed an asset to the Cajuns as a closer he didn't bring any team harmony or cohesiveness to the Cajun squad. It is inexcusable to me for a student/athelete to not care any more for his teammates than to not put in the work to do at least the minimum and stay academically eligible. If he didn't care anymore than that about himself, that's his business and he is only hurting himself. But that shows blatant disregard and disrespect to his fellow teammates, coaches, fans, the Cajun program and the University at large. We do not need guys to come into our program for one year and use it solely as a springboard for purely selfish and personal gains. This is what Robe is referring to when he talks about kids "prostituting" themselves concerning the Cajun baseball program.

Everyone has to do what they think is best for their own personal situation. Guys that have been in the program for three or four years and then get drafted after their Junior year have a decision to make too. It is a difficult thing for a 21 year old young man, who has been dreaming all of his life to get the opportunity to play professional baseball not to lunge at the first chance to do so. All you can hope for is that they weigh ALL of their options carefully, look at the pros and cons of leaving early or staying for their Senior year, and pray for The Lord's Guidance in ALL their decisions.