Donaldson Led The Sun Conference With 43 Stolen Bases in 2010
Southeastern's Donaldson Drafted By Orioles
LAKELAND, Fla.--Junior shortstop Auburn Donaldson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, on Wednesday, in day three of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.
Donaldson was taken in the 35th round and becomes the third Southeastern player in four years to be drafted.
"Shock and awe, that is how I feel right now," said Donaldson on being drafted. "I have always heard that I could do it, but there had to be that team that would give me a chance; fortunately the Baltimore Orioles are going to give me that shot."
Donaldson led the Sun Conference with 43 stolen bases this season, a stat which was also good for fifth in the country. His 63 runs scored also led the conference, and he hit .339 on the year with 11 doubles and 22 RBIs.
"I think it's huge for the program, second shortstop in three years to get drafted," added Fire Head Coach Jason Beck.
Heading into the draft, Coach Beck was not totally sure Donaldson would be drafted.
"We were a little surprised with him being a junior, but he was definitely talented enough. We just weren't sure where he would land," said Beck.
Orioles' scouts had been watching Donaldson for the past month and even came to a Southeastern practice in May.
"I had a private workout right before we went to Ohio for playoffs," stated an excited Donaldson. "I did ok, and there were some other guys getting drafted out of that camp. They took four guys from the eight guys that were at that workout, and then they called me yesterday and said they wanted to take me between rounds 20 through 30. That did not happen, but they took me pretty early today instead."
Southeastern pitcher Steve Hill became the first ever Southeastern baseball player drafted, back in 2007, going to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Then, in 2008, Dee (Devaris) Gordon was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers and is now considered their top prospect according to Baseball America.
Donaldson, who just turned 22 in April, transferred to Southeastern after playing two years of baseball at the College of Marin in San Francisco.
"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Donaldson added. "It only gets better from here."
Donaldson was told by Orioles' representatives to report to Sarasota, Fla., on Sunday. He should know more then where he will be playing summer baseball. However, the Orioles have a rookie ball team that plays in Florida's Gulf Coast League, making it a possible destination for him.
"Looking back at it, coming to Southeastern was the best decision for me," Donaldson added. "Coach Beck gave me a shot to play shortstop and lead off every day. I just want to thank Southeastern and him (Coach Beck) for the opportunity."
Donaldson's 2010 Season At Southeastern
GP GS AVG AB R H 2B RBI TB BB OB% SB SBA
61 58 .339 183 63 62 11 22 73 42 .487 43 51