D-backs Load Up on Pitchers Early in 2010 MLB Draft

Through 25-plus rounds of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player's Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks - Yakima's parent club - spent the majority of their picks on pitchers, nabbing a hurler with each of their first eight selections.

With the sixth overall pick, Arizona selected Texas A&M pitcher Barrett Loux - a 6-foot-5 right-hander who went 6-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings for the Aggies. Loux has a power fastball and plus-changeup, along with a curveball and slider, and had been climbing up draft boards all spring.

The D-backs followed with a couple of prep arms - James Bradley (Nitro HS, West Virginia) and Robert Rowland (Cloverdale HS, California) - in rounds two and three before selecting two more college hurlers in Kevin Munson (James Madison U.) and southpaw Cody Wheeler (Coastal Carolina). In rounds eight through 10, Arizona loaded up on college position players, taking switch-hitting shortstop Zachary Walters (U. San Diego), Kawika Emsley-Pai (Lewis-Clark State) - a catcher from Mill Creek, WA - and shortstop Michael Freeman (Clemson).

The early-middle rounds were highlighted by the D-backs snagging positional prospects from powerhouse universities, including first baseman Jimmy Comerota (Rice, 18th round), second baseman Raoul Torrez (Arizona State, 21st round), and third baseman Stephen Cardullo (Florida State, 24th round). The draft concludes Wednesday with rounds 31-50, beginning at 9 a.m.

Many of the players selected will be reporting to Yakima June 15 for a summer with the Bears. The club looks to have its roster set by June 14.

The Yakima Bears begin their season June 18 at home against the Boise Hawks. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now at the downtown Bears office at 17 N. 3rd Street, Suite 101 and online at yakimabears.com.

Click here to see a complete list of the D-backs draft