Stanford closer emerges as top-20 pick

Of course, Mooneyham didn't pitch this season, after suffering a serious cut on his throwing hand at the outset of the year. But then emerged Chris Reed.

By the book, Reed looks like an arm injury waiting to happen. He features a low three-quarters arm angle with an all-out, buggy-whip throwing motion that can be somewhat painful to watch -- especially for opposing hitters.

If any team can rival the Giants in identifying projectable pitching talent, though, it's the Dodgers, who have now taken a pitcher with their first overall draft pick in each of the last nine years. So, if the Dodgers view him as sturdy enough to take with a valuable first-round pick, there must be something intrinsically sound about Reed's mechanics.

Sure enough, Stanford's closer does the one thing a hard-throwing slinger needs to -- he consistently keeps his elbow higher than his shoulder.

Mundane mechanics-speak aside, Reed has been sensational this year. And as Stanford arrives in North Carolina for its Super Regional matchup starting tomorrow, Reed paces the team in appearances (28) and saves (9).

Among the 1,529 players to be drafted this week, Reed was the first of six Stanford players to be selected. Other Cardinal to be drafted: left-handed pitcher Scott Snodgress, fifth round by the White Sox; right-hander Jordan Pries, 30th round by Seattle; catcher Zach Jones, 34th round by Arizona; Mooneyham, 38th round by Washington; and right-hander Danny Sandbrink, 42nd round by the Giants.

Seven Golden Bears drafted

Stanford senior reliever Snodgress joins the Golden Bears bonanza enjoyed by the White Sox. Chicago's south-side franchise drafted three Cal players, including Berkeley's highest draft choice -- right-handed start Erik Johnson, who was selected in the second round. The durable 6-foot-2 ace out of Los Altos is currently 6-4 with a 2.91 ERA, and will look to surpass the 100-strikeout plateau when he takes the mound Saturday in Cal's Super Regional opener against Dallas Baptist.

The best-of-three Super Regional will be held at Santa Clara University. Saturday's opener is scheduled for 5 p.m., with Sunday at 7 p.m., and Monday (if necessary) to be played at a time yet to be determined.

The White Sox also drafted Cal shortstop Marcus Semien in the 6th round, and catcher Chadd Krist in the 13th round. Other Bears to be drafted: right-hander Dixon Anderson, ninth round by Washington; right-hander Kevin Miller, 18th round by Houston; right-hander Matt Flemer, 19th round by Kansas City; and second baseman Austin Booker, 33rd round by the A's.

Local draft roundup

Other DI draftees: USF-- outfielder Peter Lavin, 20th round by Philadelphia; left-hander Jordan Remer, 25th round by Texas. San Jose State -- left-hander Roberto Padilla, eighth round by Colorado; first baseman Danny Stienstra, 12th round by St. Louis; right-hander Esteban Guzman, 17th round by Washington; and outfielder Freeman Jenkins, 38th round by Arizona. Santa Clara University -- right-hander J.R. Graham, fourth round by Atlanta.

Other college draftees: College of San Mateo -- right-hander Clay Bauer, 48th round by Colorado. Sonoma State -- first baseman O'Koyea Dickson, 12th round by the Dodgers. UC Davis -- right-hander Joe Biagini, 26th round by the Giants. American University -- left-hander Stephen Lumpkins, who stars for the American basketball team, 13th round by Kansas City. Fresno State -- right-hander Greg Gonzalez, 15th round by San Diego. Menlo College -- right-hander Chris Mazza, 27th round by Minnesota.

Also, Hillsborough native Benjamin Sosnick was drafted out of Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 49th round by the Giants.