OKLAHOMA CITY – Ashur Tolliver, Justin Harper and Brent Weaver of Oklahoma City University have been selected on Wednesday in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Tolliver, a junior left-handed pitcher from Sherwood, Ark., became the first player selected in this year's draft competing on the NAIA level when the Baltimore Orioles took him in the fifth round 146th overall. Baseball America regarded Tolliver as the NAIA's prize prospect.
Harper, a junior right-handed pitcher from Phoenix, went in the 17th round to the Houston Astros with the 521st overall pick. Harper and Tolliver helped OCU lead the NAIA in strikeouts per game (8.90) and rank third in opposing batting average (.238).
Weaver, a senior first baseman-third baseman from Midwest City, Okla., was taken in the 26th round with the 788th overall selection by the Florida Marlins. Weaver had garnered the NAIA and Sooner Athletic Conference player of the year awards.
OCU has had 55 players taken in the Major League Baseball Draft and 124 turn professional over the years.
"I'm very happy for all of them," OCU coach Denney Crabaugh said. "All of them are looking forward to that opportunity. Hopefully they will enjoy the same success they had here."
Tolliver went 10-1 with a 3.74 earned run average. Tolliver struck out 89 batters in 74.2 innings pitched. He allowed 69 hits and 17 walks as opposing batters hit .235 against him. Tolliver, 6-foot, 170 pounds, made second-team NAIA all-American and first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference. He had one complete game, a seven-inning performance against No. 17 Wayland Baptist (Texas) where he struck out 12. Tolliver also made the SAC gold-glove team.
"He throws a 90 mph fastball with a changeup and a slider," Crabaugh said of Tolliver. "He has command of all three pitches. He is a fierce competitor.
"That's a pretty good accomplishment for him to go first among NAIA players. It's a testimony to his talent."
Harper posted a 9-3 record and a 4.94 ERA, fanning 86 in 71 innings. Harper had four complete games. He allowed 63 hits as opponents hit .244 off him.
A 6-3, 225-pounder, Harper made second-team all-conference.
"Justin Harper is a power pitcher with an exploding, sinking fastball and a power breaking ball," Crabaugh said. "He has dominating, electric stuff."
Weaver hit .419 with 37 home runs and 91 RBIs this year. Weaver led the NAIA in homers this year, falling one short of the NAIA single-season homer record. He ranked third in runs scored, fourth in total bases and ninth in RBIs per game as well as third in slugging percentage (.952).
A 6-1, 195-pounder, Weaver hit 61 career homers to be second on the OCU career list. Weaver hit .424 with 40 doubles and 180 RBIs in his two-year OCU career.
"He put up incredible numbers," Crabaugh said. "I'm awfully proud of what he's gone through. It's nothing short of amazing.
"I had told scouts that he ought to get a chance because Weaver would be better than other 24-year-olds they have."
The Stars finished tied for third in the NAIA World Series last year. OCU went 53-9, posting its 11th consecutive 50-win season and solidifying its place as the winningest college baseball program in the country over the past decade.
To see MLB video of Tolliver, click here. To see video of Harper, click here.