Nelson taken in MLB draft by Texas Rangers, assigned to Spokane

June 8, 2006

Senior Brian Nelson became only the 2nd player from Corban to be chosen the MLB draft since 1988. (Photo by Piet van Weel)

SALEM, Ore. – Senior Brian Nelson (Lebanon, Ore.) began his dream of becoming a Major Leaguer on Wednesday when he was chosen in the 35th round (1,048 player overall) of the MLB draft by the Texas Rangers.  The two-day draft encompassed 50 rounds and had 1,502 players hear their names called.

“This has always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” said Nelson.  “I know that it is going to be a lot of work and that I will have to work hard.”

During his final season in a Warrior uniform, Nelson led the team in batting average (.396), at-bats (164), hits (65), doubles (11), home runs (6), runs batted in (38), total bases (94), and slugging percentage (.573).

According to a scout from the Rangers, “(Brian) is a prospect that we believe really has a chance to hit.  He will be assigned to Spokane and will report on Wednesday, June 14th.  We expect him to play both first base and in the outfield.  He will be a great addition to our organization both on and off the field.”

Nelson concluded his two-year career at Corban with 117 hits in 335 at-bats (.349 batting average), including 22 doubles, 8 home runs, 66 runs batted in, 52 runs scored, 163 total bases, and a slugging percentage of .487.

“My career began at Chemeketa Community College where I got a lot of playing time,” reflected Nelson.  “Coming to Corban allowed me to continue playing.  If I had chosen another institution, I might not have had the same opportunity and I was ready to step it up when I arrived.”

Nelson joins former Warrior and current Tacoma Rainier Rich Dorman as the only two Corban players to be chosen in the first-year player draft since the baseball program was reinstated to full intercollegiate status in 1988.  Dorman was chosen in the 13th round (376th player overall) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the 2000 draft.

Warrior fans will have a chance to see Nelson play when he returns to the area for a five-game series with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes beginning on August 11th.