Cal Poly center fielder Mitch Haniger was the first Big West player to be selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The junior All-American was the 38th overall pick, chosen in the Compensation A round by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers received the draft choice as compensation for the Detroit Tigers signing Prince Fielder.
Haniger, the 2012 Big West Player of the Year, becomes the second-highest Mustang ever to be drafted by the MLB. Catcher John Orton was drafted in the first round (25th overall) by the California Angels in 1987 while left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson was a compensatory round choice (48th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2005.
The Santa Clara, Calif., native, was the runaway Big West Conference leader in home runs (13), RBI (64), slugging percentage (.626), total bases (132) and sacrifice flies (7).
Only the first and compensation A rounds were held Monday. Rounds 2-15 will be held Tuesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) with the final 24 rounds slated for Wednesday.