By Bill Paterson
bpaterson@sacbee.com
Oakmont's Tyler Kuresa was the first area high school player taken in today's Major League Baseball Draft, but just nine spots in front of Elk Grove's Jake Rodriguez.
Kuresa, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound first baseman, was taken in the 11th round (345th pick overall) by the Minnesota Twins. Rodriguez, a 5-10, 185-pounder who can play both infield and catcher, also was selected in the 11th round (354 overall) by the Los Angeles Angels.
Kuresa was considered a top 200 selection and Rodriguez at top 300 selection before the draft by Baseball America.
Both may have so-called "signability" issues because they have already signed to play in college on scholarship. Kuresa has signed with Oregon; Rodriguez with Oregon State.
Sheldon pitcher Tyler Linehan, a 6-foot, 240-pound lefthander, was selected in the 14th round (432 overall) by the Seattle Mariners. He has signed with Fresno State.
Earlier in the day, former Jesuit outfielder Cory Vaughn, now a junior at San Diego State, was taken in the fourth round (122 overall) by the New York Mets. Vaughn is the son of former major leaguer Greg Vaughn.
Pitcher Tyler Waldron, The Bee Player of the Year in 2007 for Golden Sierra, was taken in the fifth round (No. 147 overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Waldron is a junior at Oregon State.
Ex-Elk Grove standout David Freitas, now a catcher for Hawaii, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 15th round (No. 446).
Freitas, a Cosumnes River College transfer, batted .292 with 10 home runs and a team-leading 49 RBI in landing Western Athletic Conference honors.
Freitas helped Hawaii win its first conference tournament title in 18 years as the Rainbows defeated the Fresno State 9-6 in this season's final.
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