FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BELMONT ABBEY SPORTS INFORMATION
Friday, June 6, 2008

BELMONT ABBEY SECOND BASEMAN ALEX CASTELLANOS DRAFTED BY THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS IN TENTH ROUND OF 2008 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT

First Crusader Drafted Since 1972; Highest Selection In School History

Belmont Abbey second baseman Alex Castellanos was drafted in the tenth round, 305th overall, by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2008 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. He was the first Conference Carolinas player selected in the draft. He is the first Belmont Abbey baseball player to be drafted since 1972, when Henry Holmes was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round.

Castellanos, a draft eligible sopre, and an all-region selection, finished the 2008 season with a .390 average with an NCAA Division II leading 31 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 54 runs batted in. In his two year career, he slugged 53 doubles, 28 home runs and drove in 103 runs. He was an All-America and all-region selection in 2007.

The Abbey ended the 2008 season with a school record 41 wins, posting the first 40+ win season in school history, and its first NCAA Regional appearance since 2001.

Belmont Abbey Major League Baseball Draft Picks

John Hickey- Washington Senators 29th round-1969

Edward Layman- Washington Senators 39th round -1969

Henry Holmes- Montreal Expos 41st round -1969... did not sign

Henry Holmes - Baltimore Orioles 13th round -1972

Alex Castellanos - St. Louis Cardinals 10th round - 2008