Luellwitz, Lewis Chosen in Second Day of Major League baseball Draft 6/5/02

Vanderbilt outgoing senior Sean Luellwitz and Commodore signee Jensen Lewis were chosen in the second day of the 2002 Major League Draft, Wednesday, June 5.

Luellwitz was selected in the 28th round (849th pick overall) by Arizona. Lewis, a member of the 2003 Vanderbilt recruiting class, was selected by Cleveland in the 33rd round (994th pick overall).

Luellwitz and Lewis join first-day picks Karl Nonemaker and Commodore signee Jason Pridie as draft selections with Vanderbilt ties. Philadelphia selected Nonemaker in the 20th round (599th pick overall) while Tampa Bay selected Pridie in the second round (43rd pick overall).

Luellwitz, a 6-5, 230-pound Vanderbilt first baseman/catcher from Brookfield, Wis., completed his four-year collegiate career as the Commodores' top offensive threat each of the past two seasons. During the 2002 campaign Luellwitz led all Vanderbilt hitters with a .370 batting average, 77 hits, 16 doubles, 12 home runs, 51 RBI and a .630 slugging percentage. His .630 slugging percentage ranks third in the Southeastern Conference while his .370 batting average ranks 11th in the league.

A two-time winner of the annual Jeff Peeples Most Valuable Player Award, Luellwitz holds the Vanderbilt record for career doubles with 61 and ranks fifth on the school list for career hits (250) and career at bats (756).

"I was a little unsure after not hearing anything yesterday, but I'm very excited now to be going to such an unbelievable organization as Arizona," Luellwitz said. "I was out there last week working out for them and meeting some of their staff. It's a great organization."

Luellwitz will travel to Yakima, Wash., in the coming days to work out in front of team officials before being assigned to a farm team. Lewis, a 6-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher at Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, was named the 2002 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. He also earned first team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honors.

Lewis leads all Anderson High School pitchers with a 7-2 record, 1.71 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 61.0 innings pitched. His Redskins recently won the Division I Region 2 title to advance to semi-state action beginning June 7.

-VU-