| | Published July 4th, 2012
| Four SMC Players Selected in Major League Baseball Draft Senior pitcher surprised by pick
| | By Simon Tryzna |  | | Toby DeMello Photos Tod Fierner
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At the beginning of the year, Saint Mary's pitcher Martin Agosta and third baseman Patrick Wisdom got the majority of attention from Major League Baseball scouts, as both were named to Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list. Both Wisdom and Agosta were drafted in the first two rounds of the draft, by the Cardinals and the Giants, respectively.
"The kids that went in the top two rounds are special players who had an incredible work ethic and improved every day they were at SMC," said Saint Mary's Head Coach Jedd Soto. "We really work hard to find the right kids that fit our university and can compete at the highest level."
Senior pitcher Kyle Barraclough, while not receiving the same attention as his junior teammates, put together an impressive career, recognized by St. Louis, who drafted him in the seventh round.
"I was very surprised to be drafted by the Cardinals," said Barraclough. "I had not heard much from them prior to the draft."
Despite finishing his senior campaign with a 2-9 record, Barraclough finished his second straight year with a sub-4.00 ERA and was eighth in the West Coast Conference with 80 strikeouts.
After finishing a stellar junior year, in which he was named to the All-West Coast Conference team, Barraclough was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 40th round of the MLB draft. Passing up the journey allowed the pitcher to not only earn a degree, but to improve his draft stock.
It was in his senior year that Barraclough bested No. 11 Arizona State University, his favorite memory at Saint Mary's. "It was one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of," said Barraclough. "It was a huge team win with everyone contributing to the game."
With both Patrick Wisdom and Kyle Barraclough coming to terms on a deal with St. Louis early after draft, the duo will be starting their professional careers by playing for the Batavia Muck Dogs of the Low-A New York - Penn League. Barraclough is looking forward to taking the field alongside a fellow Gael. "It was extremely exciting to be given the opportunity to play with Patrick Wisdom again. We were good friends and he is a great teammate and I am glad I get to continue our journey together."
Overall, the Gaels had four players drafted in the three day draft - in addition to Wisdom (52nd overall), Agosta (84th overall) and Barraclough (240th overall) senior catcher Toby DeMello went to the Seattle Mariners in the 27th round. Soto was happy with the way the draft played out for the Gaels. "Having players get drafted shows recruits that we are moving the program in the right direction and getting closer to competing every year at a national level," said Soto. With players like Barraclough succeeding at Saint Mary's and taking their game to the next level, many more talented recruits should find themselves playing in Moraga. "We had four players drafted in 2009 and over 25 in the past years," said Soto. "After 2009, we had to get to work developing this 2012 class. We will get back to developing this [year's] class to have four more drafted in 2015."
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 | | Kyle Barraclough.
|  | | Patrick Wisdom
|  | | Martin Agosta Photos Tod Fierner
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA