Houston Astros draft area player (plus local draft history) - Glens Falls Post-Star (blog)

2012-06-07T00:20:00Z 2012-06-07T00:45:12Z Houston Astros draft area player (plus local draft history) The Post-Star

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we had something happen for the first time in six years Wednesday: a player from a high school in our coverage area was taken in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The Houston Astros selected Christian Garcia in the 29th round. The Wilton native played three years at South Glens Falls before graduating from Saratoga Central Catholic in 2009. Garcia, who pitched a year at the University of Albany, played this season at junior college in South Carolina.

I spoke to a very excited -- and somewhat surprised--  Garcia on Wednesday night. He is likely to sign and may begin his career later this month with the Tri-City ValleyCats in Troy.

Garcia has battled some injuries and has bounced around some, but he always has had big potential in his strong arm. He didn't see much action at South High, but he showed flashes of brilliance in relief at Spa Catholic as a senior. 

Last season, a reader asked how rare it is for a local player to be drafted. I did some research and with the help of readers came up with the following list. I'm not certain it's all-inclusive, and I'd love to hear about anyone I missed. 

Below is my research so far, sorted by round drafted:

Tim Stauffer (Saratoga Catholic) -- drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round (fourth overall) in 2003.

Brendan Harris (Queensbury) -- drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round (138th overall) in 2001.

Bob Glendening (Queensbury) drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round (190th overall) in 1983.

Matt Harrison (Glens Falls) drafted by the New York Yankees in the ninth round (232nd overall) in 1989.

Dave Lapoint (Glens Falls) -- drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the tenth round (237th overall) in 1977.

Rich Berg (Corinth) -- drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 12th round (303rd overall) in 1987.

Peter Brown (Glens Falls) -- drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round (325th overall) in 1975; also drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the January secondary draft in 1976. Played in Cubs organization.

David Palmer (Glens Falls) -- drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 21st round (489th overall) in 1977.

Dan Donovan (Corinth) -- drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round (530th overall) in 1977.

Matt Stevens (Glens Falls) -- drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 29th round (742nd overall) in 1989.

Brian Cogan (Saratoga Catholic, then St. Peter's) -- drafted by the New York Yankees in the 39th round (866 overall) in 1969.

Christian Garcia (Saratoga Catholic) -- drafted by the Houston Astros in the 29th round (879th overall) in 2012.

Will Groff (Queensbury) -- drafted by the St. Louis Cardnals in the 20th round (886th overall) in 2006.

Bill Faile (Greenwich) -- drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 36th round (1,020 overall) in 1993.

Tim Harrington (Glens Falls) -- drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 43rd round (1,179 overall) in 1994.

Phil Klaiber (Queensbury) -- drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 34th round (1,115th overall) in 1999.

Bill Anderson (Queensbury) -- undrafted, signed with the San Diego Padres in 1994.

-- Tim