June 15, 2010

Utah Valley's Jace Brinkerhoff and Houston Baptist's Johnathan Moore were selected in the 2010 MLB Draft. Brinkerhoff was drafted in the 38th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, while Moore was taken in the 45th round by the Texas Rangers.

Brinkerhoff will begin his professional career in the same stadium and clubhouse where he played collegiately. After attending mini camp in Tempe, Ariz., he'll return to Utah to play for the Orem Owlz, who play their home games at UVU's Brent Brown Ballpark. The Pioneer League season begins June 21 with the Owlz' first home game on June 26.

Brinkerhoff becomes the first position player to be drafted out of UVU at the Division I level and the third player overall. Kam Mickolio - UVU's first big leaguer - was selected in the 18th round of the 2006 draft by the Seattle Mariners and Justin Smith was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 36th round of the 2009 draft.

As a senior, Brinkerhoff batted a nation-leading .456 with 13 home runs, 85 RBI, 118 hits and 88 runs scored. He was named the Great West Conference Player of the Year and led the Wolverines to both the Great West regular season and tournament titles and a school-record 42-17 record.

Moore finished the season batting .355. The senior catcher posted 51 runs batted in, 51 runs scored and six home runs on the year. Moore joined the HBU program for his junior season after spending two seasons at Temple College. He is the first HBU player to be drafted since 2003 when Kyle Smith was taken in the 18th round by the Cincinnati Reds.