Pellegrini selected by Houston Astros in 12th round of MLB Draft

June 8, 2007

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - After fielding phone calls all morning and waiting patiently with family, friends and former teammates by his side, Brian Pellegrini got the one phone call he'd been dreaming about since childhood.

The two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Year was taken in the 12th round by the Houston Astros with the 381st overall pick on the second day of the 2007 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Pellegrini is the 13th St. Bonaventure player to reach the professional ranks since 1991 and the highest draft pick in program history.

"It's a dream come true," said an elated Pellegrini. "I was so anxious all morning and to finally receive the phone call from the Astros was absolutely indescribable."

Indescribable may be the correct term to use when trying to pass on the story of Pellegrini's legendary career. The Willoughby, Ohio native was recently tabbed the programs first-ever All-American by Louisville Slugger and is one of just two players in A-10 history to garner Player of the Year accolades in back-to-back seasons. Pellegrini was a four-time All-Conference selection and has been named to the ABCA All-Northeast Region team twice. He was the A-10 Tournament MVP as a freshman when the Bonnies captured their first-ever Conference championship and he led the Brown and White to three conference postseason appearances. Pellegrini owns Bonaventure career records for hits (262), runs scored (181), doubles (60), home runs (48) and RBI (201).

"This is a just reward for Brian who elevated our program to new heights," head coach Larry Sudbrook said. "We've had many teams go to the postseason before he came, but nobody took us there three out of their four years and brought home a championship and second place finish. His numbers and on-field leadership were instrumental in that success."

"Coach Sudbrook taught me a lot about the game, but most importantly he made me a better person on the field," Pellegrini said. "When he named me captain as a junior I knew that was a big deal. He doesn't normally name team captains so I knew I had to become more of a leader."

In 2007, Pellegrini took three years of Sudbrook's teachings and went on to set program single-season records with 24 doubles, 17 home runs, 59 RBI and a .833 slugging percentage. Pellegrini also batted a career-high .391 and led the team with 57 runs, 68 hits, 145 total bases, 33 walks and a league-leading .498 on-base percentage. He recorded a hit in 37 of 45 games this season and belted two home runs and seven RBI in his final game, including a three-run homer in his final collegiate at-bat.

"The one thing that always forces you into a baseball lineup regardless of level is the ability to hit," said Sudbrook. "Brian not only has major league bat speed, but he's a smart hitter and combination should give him an opportunity to advance through the Astros' system."

With a couple weeks left in the college baseball season, Pellegrini currently ranks in the top 12 in nation in doubles per game (0.52/2nd), slugging percentage (4th), home runs per game (0.37/7th), runs batted in per game (1.28/9th) and runs per game (1.24/11th).

"When I came to St. Bonaventure and got the opportunity to play at the Division I level it was a step forward in my baseball career," said Pellegrini. "It's a great feeling to know that I helped make a strong program even stronger during my four seasons. When I got that phone call from the Astros today I took another step forward in my career, but St. Bonaventure is something that I'll never forget."

Pellegrini is the second Bonnie to be drafted in the last two years. John Zinnicker was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 35th round last season.