Shorewood's Snell Selected 52nd Overall in MLB Draft

Shorewood High School baseball player Blake Snell was drafted 52nd overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2011 Major League Baseball first-year player draft on Monday night.

Snell, a senior pitcher for the Thunderbirds, becomes the highest ever drafted Shorewood baseball player.

Snell impressed scouts with his upside-projectability and master control. The senior throws 91-93 on his fastball to go along with a plus-curve and has yet to fully grow into his body, leaving many analysts to predict that the speed on his fastball will increase over time.

Shorewood finished second in the state in 3A in 2011, due in no small part to its pitching. Snell lead the way, going 9-0 this season, with 128 strikeouts in 63 innings. Snell allowed just one earned run over his final 43 1/3 innings in 2011 and finished off a two-year run that saw him allow just 25 earned runs in 124 2/3 innings pitched.

Snell, whose father, Dave, was drafted in 1982 by the San Francisco Giants, had committed to play at the University of Washington, but may skip that due to his high draft position.

Snell is one of three Shorewood players expected to be drafted in the first few rounds, along with first baseman Trevor Mitsui and fellow pitcher Kevin Moriarty. Check back for updates on those two's draft positions on Wednesday.