June 6, 2012
By Steven Wright, Wake Forest Media Relations (@SIDeacons)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - On the final day of the 2012 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, Wake Forest had Pat Blair and Michael Dimock drafted by the Houston Astros, while incoming freshman Mark McCoy was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Blair was the first Demon Deacons drafted on Day 3 when he was picked with the 729th pick in the 24th Round by the Astros. McCoy was then taken 815th in the 26th Round by the Brewers before Dimock was selected with the 1,119th pick in the 37th Round by the Astros.
Blair and Dimock join Brian Holmes (13th Round; No. 399) as Houston Astros selections, marking the first time in Wake Forest history that three teammates were drafted by the same team in the same draft.
"When Michael was selected, it made six current Deacons and one future Deacon who have been drafted," said Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter. "What a banner day for the program."
A banner draft for the Deacons it was, as the six current players selected in the 2012 draft is a Wake Forest record. The previous record was five set in the 2003 draft.
"I'm so happy for Pat. To be drafted is a great honor for him and is well deserved," said Walter. "He has been a three-year starter for us at the most difficult position on the field. Through hard work, determination and raw athleticism, he has become one of the premier college shortstops in the country."
Blair played in all 57 games for Wake Forest in 2012 and started 56 of them at shortstop. He spent the majority of the time at the leadoff position in the order and hit .292 while leading the team with 59 runs, 66 hits, 46 walks, a .416 on-base percentage and 22 stolen bases.
He was recognized for his efforts by being named to the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Midseason Watch List. During his career, Blair has hit .275 and has started 158 games for the Demon Deacons.
"Mark's dad and I have been in touch several times over the past few days, and I feel confident he is coming to Wake. However, it's always a thrill to be drafted and is something he and his family will certainly need to consider," said Walter. "We have no doubt that if he attends Wake Forest, in three years he will be in the Tim Cooney/Mac Williamson draft range at the minimum."
McCoy isa 6-3, 185-pound senior from Barnegat, N.J. where he attended Barnegat High School. A left-handed pitcher, McCoy posted an ERA under 2.00 during his first three years with the Bengals en route to earning All-Conference each year.
"I am very proud of Michael. He will step right into professional baseball and do what he has always done for us - help you win baseball games," said Walter. "His slider plays at any level and he should move quickly through an organization because of that plus pitch."
Dimock has been the Deacons' closer for the past two seasons after starting several games in his first two years. As a junior, Dimock posted an impressive 1.87 ERA while recording four saves in 53.0 innings. He then posted a career-best 12 saves as a senior in 2012 and cemented his name in the Wake Forest record books by ranking second all-time with 19 career saves.
Dimock earned Second Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference during 2012, while leading the team with 28 appearances.
The signing deadline for players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft is 5 p.m. ET on July 13, 2012.
