FORMER EAGLE FRANK PFISTER SELECTED BY REDS IN MLB DRAFT

(June 6) Former Emory University third baseman Frank Pfister was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 17th-round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

Pfister was chosen by the Reds with the 509th-overall pick, the highest an Emory position player has ever been selected. He was the third Division III player to be chosen in the 2008 draft.

Pfister gained National recognition during the Eagles’ 2007 run to the NCAA Division III World Series, capturing the South Regional Tournament’s Most Valuable Player honor while batting .640 over the five-game stretch. In 2008, Pfister was named the University Athletic Association’s (UAA) Most Valuable Player, and the South Region’s Gold Glove third baseman, along with a selection to the ABCA/ Rawlings all-South Region second team. Pfister is a three-time all-UAA first team honoree.

The 21-year old Los Angeles, Calif. (Harvard-Westlake) product batted .379 in 2008, leading the team with six home runs and 51 runs batted in. Pfister, a .369 hitter with nine home runs and 143 runs batted in over 162 career games, finished his career with 220 hits, the third-most in school history.

“Frank was not only one of the most talented players to ever put on an Emory uniform, but one of the best kids,” said Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski. “I am so proud of his maturity level both on and off the field, and his hard work, that has allowed him to become this caliber of player.”

Pfister is the fourth Eagle drafted since Emory reinstated its varsity program in 1991 after a 100-year absence. Twin brothers and pitchers Scott and Jeff Kramer were both drafted in 1994, Scott in the 13th round by the Cleveland Indians and Jeff in the 30th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Neither made it to the major leagues. Third baseman Andrew Pinckney was drafted in 2004 by the Boston Red Sox, and is currently playing for the team’s Double-A affiliate.

Former Eagle and all-American Jason Glushon is also currently in the minor leagues, playing for the double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Glushon signed with Oakland as a non-drafted free agent following the 2007 season.