UAlbany's Sean Lucas Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - Senior lefthander Sean Lucas was chosen in the 25th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, as the 772nd overall player picked, on Wednesday, June 6. Lucas, who is the highest draft choice from the UAlbany program since 2002, becomes the eighth player in UAlbany history to be drafted, and gives the Great Danes a player in the last two MLB drafts. The hurler is also the second UAlbany player drafted by the Reds, as first baseman Mike Konstanty was chosen by the club in 2008.

Lucas, who transferred to UAlbany from Virginia, was one of the Great Danes' top starting pitchers this season, starting 14 games on the mound. He posted a 4-6 record with a 5.19 ERA, finishing second on the team with 53 strikeouts. Lucas was second with 76.1 innings of work, and was the starting pitcher in UAlbany's only shutout of the season, a 1-0, 10-inning win at Maine.

Pitcher Dave Kubiak went to the Tampa Bay Rays last season, going in the 36th round. Konstanty was drafted in the 39th round by the Cincinnati Reds, following Tom Hill, who was picked by the Kansas City Royals in the 34th round of 2007's draft. Terry Kenny was the first Great Dane to be drafted in 1974, when San Francisco selected him in the ninth round. In the Division I era, Steve Checksfield (Houston, 10th round) was drafted in 2001, Mike Grasso (Atlanta, 11th round) was picked in 2002 and Adam Kroft (San Diego, 30th round was chosen in 2004.

UAlbany Baseball in the MLB Draft (Division I era)



2001 - Steve Checksfield, Houston, 10th round



2002 - Mike Grasso, Atlanta, 11th round



2004 - Adam Kroft, San Diego, 30th round



2007 - Tom Hill, Kansas City, 34th round



2008 - Mike Konstanty, Cincinnati, 39th round



2011 - Dave Kubiak, Tampa Bay, 36th round



2012 - Sean Lucas, Cincinnati, 25th round