TYSON EVANS/Daily Bruin
UCLA outfielder Ben Francisco made contact with
Major League officials when he was drafted Tuesday.
By Scott Bair
DAILY BRUIN STAFF
[email protected]
Apartment 2 had a stressful last 48 hours. A pair of No.
2’s occupants sat around the phone, waiting for the ring that
would signal the beginning of a dream. Junior outfielder Ben
Francisco and senior catcher Josh Arhart had been waiting for this
phone call since their days in little league.
The low buzz of Major League Baseball’s internet radio
broadcast of the 2002 MLB amateur draft cut through the
silence.
The broadcast continued to announce foreign names from unknown
high schools and universities. Francisco and Arhart sat in wait for
a familiar sound, for one of their names to be called.
The 154th name sounded familiar.
In the middle of the fifth round, within two hours of the first
pick, the Cleveland Indians called Francisco’s name, claiming
him with the 22nd pick of the fifth round.
“This is an accomplishment that I’ve wanted to reach
since I was a little kid,” Francisco said. “This is
just one step closer to my dream of playing in the major
leagues.”
The Indians, who also drafted Francisco out of high school,
rewarded two years of stellar play at UCLA. Francisco finished his
junior season with a .368 average, six home runs, and 37 RBIs.
Cleveland stuck with Francisco despite the fact that he missed the
last five weeks with a broken collarbone.
Apartment Two was excited. With Francisco off the board, the
radio stayed on, waiting for one more name to be called.
The draft’s first day then ended with one more familiar
name being called out, but it wasn’t Arhart.
The New York Mets claimed Parker in the 23rd round. Parker
batted .286, with four home runs and 14 RBIs in just 28 games.
Parker missed the first 32 games due to academic ineligibility.
The Mets must have ignored Parker’s off the field troubles
and focused on his speed and defensive ability when they called his
name.
It was no surprise that Arhart’s name wasn’t called.
As a senior, Arhart has little negotiating power with major league
teams.
Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. the radio went back on. From 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Apartment Two waited for Arhart’s name. It never
came.
Arhart’s .363 average, 18 doubles, and 37 RBIs
weren’t enough for a Major League team to take a chance on
him. Arhart threw out almost 50 percent of potential base stealers
and only had seven errors all season.
But for some reason, all of Arhart’s accomplishments
weren’t enough.
“I was surprised and disappointed,” Arhart said.
“It was something that I’ve wanted since I was a kid. I
wanted to get drafted and that doesn’t happen, it’s
frustrating.”
UCLA head coach Gary Adams pointed at Arhart’s hamstring
injury late in the season as a possible explanation for why such a
solid player would not get taken.
“Arhart’s hamstring wasn’t pulled, but kept
him out of the lineup,” Adams said. “That injury
unfortunately coincided with the time when scouts were making their
final draft decisions.”
Adams tried to convince them otherwise.
“I tried to say that the injury wasn’t serious, but
my argument didn’t go over well,” he said. “Josh
definitely deserves to get drafted.”
Arhart will now start talking to teams and will eventually sign
as a free agent.
“I’m going to keep working out,” Arhart said.
“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t drafted, but my
dream of playing pro baseball is not over. I’m not giving
up.”
Adams was disappointed that the draft didn’t take more of
his seniors, but was happy that the draft didn’t steal his
incoming freshmen.
Adams had three prized recruits taken in the draft drafted in
the 21st, 23rd and 25 rounds, but none of them are in real danger
of ignoring their Bruin commitment by going pro.
With the audio broadcast turned off, reality sunk in for the
roommates ““ Francisco had his set path to the pros, while
Arhart’s remains uncertain.
For Apartment 2, the draft was bittersweet at best.
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