MLB takes two Hoosiers in draft

Last week, junior centerfielder Kennard Jones and senior infielder Eric Blakeley were among 13 Big Ten players to be drafted on the first day of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.\nJones was drafted as the 85th overall pick in the third round of the 2002 MLB First Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres. The 2002 Big Ten Tri-Player of the Year now has to decide if he will join the Padres or return to IU for his senior season. \n"I am excited," Jones said in a press release, "I thought I was going in the second round, but it doesn't matter. I am just happy to be drafted." \nLeading the Big Ten Conference during the regular season with a .411 batting average, Jones also led the league with 88 hits and 72 runs, and was second in stolen bases with 22. \nSenior infielder Eric Blakeley was also taken in the draft as the 640th pick in the 21st round by the Seattle Mariners. Blakeley was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2002 and was named as a member of the 2002 All-Big Ten Tournament Team after the 2002 tournament. His senior season was his strongest during his career with a .330 batting average with 53 runs, 72 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 10 home runs and 60 RBI. He finished his career with over 600 at-bats, 190 hits and 116 runs.