BYU's Parker paces local draft picks

As expected, BYU junior third baseman Steve Parker was the first local athlete taken in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft Wednesday.

But knowing it was coming didn't make the honor any less exciting for the former American Fork High School standout, who will now skip his senior season of college baseball. Parker was picked by the Oakland A's in the fifth round and was the 153rd overall selection.

"It's the best feeling ever," said a euphoric Parker. "I've dreamt of this moment my entire life. I've always wanted to play baseball for a living and now I can."

Parker made his dream possible by having a spectacular junior season. He hit .361 with 13 doubles and nine home runs in 205 at-bats. He also made great improvements at third base, as he lowered his number of errors by six from his sophomore to junior seasons.

Parker was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief when Oakland picked him. It was a stressful few days leading up to the draft for Parker, who had an idea the A's might take him. He met with the organization's area scout at the Mountain West Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, last month.

"There's a lot of pressure taken off of me, in the days leading up to the draft and during the draft," Parker said. "I knew they were really interested."

Parker's selection began what was a big day for BYU's baseball program — or a bad one, depending on how you look at it. Parker was one of two junior Cougars selected, as pitcher Jeremy Toole went to the Giants in the 10th round with the 297th overall pick. A sophomore, Stetson Banks, was also drafted. He went in the 22nd round to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

BYU coach Vance Law said earlier in the week he'd be happy to see his juniors get picked but that it also puts his program in a tough spot to lose the standouts before their senior seasons.

He also said Parker should go far in the organization that drafted him. "He has a chance," Law said.

BYU senior outfielder Kent Walton was also drafted and will join Parker in the A's organization. Oakland picked him in the 25th round with the 693rd overall pick.

Former Pleasant Grove High standout Egan Smith was the second local player taken, as he went in the seventh round (220 overall) to Toronto. Smith pitched for Southern Nevada the past two years. Last season, he threw 63 innings and had a 2.98 earned run average.

Tyler Curtis, who prepped at Taylorsville High and played at Southern Idaho the last two seasons, was picked by the Marlins in the 13th round.