MLB Draft!

Many scouts are projecting Clear Creek’s Shawn Blackwell will be drafted by a Major League Baseball club before the day is out during the first-year player draft.

LEAGUE CITY — Tom Petty said, “waiting is the hardest part.” Shawn Blackwell knows the feeling.

The Clear Creek pitcher is eligible for the Major League Baseball first-year player draft, which began Tuesday night.

Rounds four through 30 are today, and many scouts are projecting Blackwell to be drafted by a MLB club before the day is out.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of things,” Blackwell said on Tuesday before the start of the draft. “A lot of people have been telling me I’ll go in the top 10 rounds. I’ve also heard I’ll go somewhere before the 15th round. I really have no idea how long I will be waiting, but I am hoping to get that call.”

Blackwell proved to be a star on the mound for the Wildcats the past two seasons. This year, he went 7-4 with a save and a 2.28 ERA.

More impressively, he allowed just one earned run in district playing, finishing with a school-record 0.16 ERA. The previous mark was 0.76.

Blackwell has been clocked this season throwing 93 mph. His curveball and change-up may be even better pitches for him. That versatile arsenal played a big role in his 90 strikeouts this season (146 the past two seasons).

With his 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame, scouts also believe Blackwell can increase that velocity and become an MLB pitcher some day.

Blackwell would become the second Creek player to be drafted in as many years. Last summer, Jarred Cosart was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 38th round. He ended up signing a contract with a $550,000 bonus.

Blackwell said he’s been texting Cosart the last several days seeking advice.

“Now I know what Jarred went through last year,” Blackwell said. “It’s been pretty nerve-racking. But Jarred told me to try not to get caught up in it. He told me to enjoy the experience.”

Like Cosart, Blackwell will have a decision to make should he be drafted.

Blackwell has already committed to Kansas to play baseball. He can choose to still play for the Jayhawks beginning this fall, or elect to sign a professional contract with the team that drafts him.

Blackwell said he doesn’t have a magic number that will tip the scales either way, but any pro contract would have to include eight-semesters of college tuition so he could go to school when his career is over.

“I’m hoping it isn’t going to be a hard decision,” Blackwell said. “Basically, I’m really hoping I get offered the money I want where it is a no-brainer, or the money isn’t enough so it’s an obvious decision to go to Kansas.

“If (the money) is close, it’s going to be a hard one to make.”

Blackwell said his family — including both parents, his two sisters, grandmother and a nephew — will sit around the computer today waiting for his name to pop up as being selected.

“It’s going to be a little mini-party,” Blackwell said. “Once I get drafted, then we’ll have a bigger one.”

The draft can be followed on MLB.com.

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Blackwell’s Stats

Season; Record; ERA; IP; Strikeouts

2009; 7-4; 2.28; 64 1/3; 90

2008; 4-4; 1.88; 52 1/3; 56

UPDATE!!

Shawn was just drafted in the 24th round by the Texas Rangers!! Congratulations, Shawn! We are so proud of you!

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