OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University's Ruben Sosa and Kirk Walker were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday night.
The Houston Astros picked Sosa, a junior from Lawrence, Mass., in the 23rd round with the 700th overall choice, while the Atlanta Braves took Walker, a senior from Bakersfield, Calif., during the 26th round at the 806th pick.
Sosa racked up an NAIA-high 44 stolen bases this year. He ranked second nationally with 78 runs scored, third with 1.32 runs scored per game, fourth with 49 steal attempts and sixth with 93 hits.
Listed as a second baseman by MLB, Sosa served as OCU's regular center fielder. He became first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference while recording a .389 average, 15 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 42 RBIs and a .446 on-base percentage.
“He is the fastest player we've had in a few years,” OCU coach Denney Crabaugh said.
Walker garnered NAIA and SAC player of the year, first-team all-American, first-team all-SAC and an NAIA gold glove award as a senior. Walker became a two-time all-conference selection and picked up the NAIA World Series gold glove award as a junior.
In his career, Walker set OCU records with 897 at-bats, 289 runs scored, 373 hits and 77 doubles while also hitting .416 with 33 homers, 240 RBIs and 24 steals. He led the NAIA with 30 doubles as a junior. He tied Slade Swanner's OCU career record with 109 walks drawn.
In 2011, Walker hit .423 with 71 runs scored, 99 hits, 24 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 72 RBIs, 16 steals and a .654 on-base percentage. Among the NAIA, he ranked second in hits, fifth in doubles, sixth with 153 total bases and 1.68 hits a game, eighth in runs scored, ninth with 1.20 runs scored per game and 10th with 174 assists, 0.41 doubles a game and in RBIs.
“He's steady,” Crabaugh said. “He comes to the ballpark and gets the job done. He makes plays day in, day out.”
The two joined teammate Ryan O'Sullivan as Stars taken Tuesday in the draft. O'Sullivan, a junior from El Cajon, Calif., became the first NAIA player and Oklahoma college player chosen at 134th overall in the fourth round.
The Stars went 47-12 and won the SAC regular-season championship and the NAIA Championship Opening Round Oklahoma City Bracket to advance to the NAIA World Series for the 13th time in OCU history.
OCU owns the most wins in college baseball since 1991 at 1,070.OCU has produced 130 professional players and 59 selected in the draft. Crabaugh has mentored 119 future pros and 53 draftees in 24 years at OCU including 23 as head coach.
