Fixler, 2 IU recruits chosen in MLB draft

Three players with IU connections were chosen in Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft last week.\nSenior catcher/first baseman Jon Fixler was selected by the Houston Astros in the draft’s 19th round.\nIn addition to Fixler, two pitchers signed to play for the Hoosiers next season were also selected. Brock Huntzinger, a right-hander from Pendleton Heights, Ind., was chosen in the third round by the Boston Red Sox, and Kyle Leiendecker, a left-hander from Fort Wayne was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 25th round. Huntzinger went 7-1 this season for Pendleton Heights High School, striking out 95 batters while only walking seven. He finished the season with a 0.29 ERA. \nIn addition to pitching, Leiendecker also played outfield for Homestead High School, helping the Spartans to a 22-4 regular season record and a spot in the semi-state round of the IHSAA Class 4A Baseball Tournament, where they lost 4-3 to Kokomo.\n“I’m incredibly happy for all three players,” IU coach Tracy Smith said in a statement. “Every baseball player dreams of playing in the major leagues, and so this is a great moment for all of them. Now they have to see if they get what they are worth, and if they aren’t happy with what is offered to them, we’ll be happy to retain them as members of the Hoosier baseball family.”\nThe three players now must decide if they want to sign with their respective clubs or play next season for the Hoosiers. Fixler may enter the draft again next year if he opts to return, but since Huntzinger and Leiendecker are coming out of high school, they will have to wait until they finish their junior year at IU before they are eligible to be drafted again. \nFixler hit for a .286 average in 2006, with two home runs and 35 RBIs.