Roberts, Vaclavik Taken in Baseball Amateur Draft
6/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 7, 2005
HOUSTON - University of Houston junior infielder Kevin Roberts and junior righthander Justin Vaclavik were taken in the first eight rounds Tuesday of Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft.
Roberts was taken in the fifth round with the 145th overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, while Vaclavik was chosen with the 211th overall pick in the seven round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. It marked the fifth time in the last six seasons that at least one Cougar player was taken in the draft's first five rounds and was the eighth time in the last nine seasons that at least one player was picked in the draft.
Roberts, who was a 2005 All-Conference USA Second Team honoree, was a versatile player for the Cougars this season. The Pearland, Texas, native was one of only three players to start all 59 games and led the Cougars with nine home runs and 51 runs scored. In addition, his .346 batting average and 16 doubles were second best.
He was equally impressive on the mound where he finished second on the staff with a 4.00 ERA and six wins.
Vaclavik emerged as the team's closer and enjoyed a career season. His 12 saves were the second most in UH single-season history and moved him into second place in career history in the UH records book. The Bay City, Texas, native also added a 4-2 record with 51 strikeouts, a 3.21 ERA and only nine walks in 42.0 innings of work.
Elkins High infielder Carlos Hereaud, who was one of seven played signed by the Cougars for the 2006 season, was selected in the ninth round with the 265th overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers. As of May 23, Hereaud batted .414 with seven doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBIs on the way to being named an All-District 20-5A First-Team shortstop.
The Venezuela native was ranked as the 198th-best prospect by Baseball America magazine entering the draft.