Cardinals draft hometown kid

~ Coach Hogan said he'll support his catcher regardless of his choice.

Southeast Missouri State junior catcher Jim Klocke has followed the Cardinals all his life.

The St. Louis native was selected by his hometown team Thursday, in the 46th round of baseball's 50-round amateur draft.

"It's an honor to be drafted, and it's fun being drafted by the Cardinals," said Klocke, a graduate of Vianney High School. "It would be neat playing for the Cardinals, the team I watched in the city where I grew up."

Whether Klocke begins his professional career this summer still is to be determined.

Klocke has until Aug. 15 to decide whether to sign with the Cardinals or return to Southeast for his senior season. If he returns to Southeast, he would re-enter next year's draft pool.

Klocke said he isn't even close to making a decision. Right now he is preparing to begin play in the Cape Cod League, one of the nation's premier summer collegiate baseball leagues. Klocke also played in that league last year.

"It's basically up in the air," Klocke said. "I'm going to see how I do in the Cape Cod League and see what they [the Cardinals] have to offer me."

Asked if he was leaning one way, Klocke said: "To be honest with you, no. I'd like to play professional ball, but I wouldn't mind finishing up my career at Southeast, so either way it's a good situation.

"We're going to negotiate and see what could come about, but I don't really have a timetable. I have until Aug. 15 to make a decision, so we both have time."

Klocke recently garnered multiple honors after having the best season of his stellar three-year Southeast career.

Klocke was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America third team and earned honorable mention on the Ping! All-America squad. He also made the Academic All-America second team for his classroom performance.

In making first team all-Ohio Valley Conference for the second straight year, Klocke finished the season ranked in the top 100 nationally in batting average (.394, 86th), doubles (20, 64th), and on-base percentage (.484, 73rd). He had nine homers, 46 RBIs and a .654 slugging percentage.

"Jim has already had a wonderful career here in every respect," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "He's done it all for us, athletically and academically. Obviously we'd love to have him back, but at the same time, I want what's best for him. I'm in his corner either way."

Klocke is the first Southeast baseball player to be drafted since 2003, when Zach Borowiak was taken in the 14th round and Tim Alvarez was selected in the 36th round. Borowiak is still in the Red Sox organization.

Hogan said there also may be some professional opportunities for several of his standout seniors from this year's team, including James Leigh, Matt Wagner and Tyrell Cummings.

"They just have to be patient and see how things sort themselves out after the draft," Hogan said. "I could see them getting invited to some type of tryout camps."

Strong OVC draft

Klocke was one of nine OVC players drafted, led by two of the top 101 picks.

Eastern Illinois junior pitcher Tyler Kehrer went No. 48 overall to the Angels, in the compensatory round sandwiched between the first and second rounds.

Jacksonville State junior pitcher Ben Tootle went in the third round, No. 101 to the Twins.

Eastern Illinois had two more players drafted, senior outfielder Brett Nommensen in the eighth round by the Rays and senior shortstop Jordan Kreke in the 13th round by the Braves.

Others picked were Austin Peay junior pitcher Daniel Tenholder (19th round, A's), Tennessee Tech senior pitcher Ryan Dennick (22nd, Royals), Murray State junior pitcher Daniel Calhoun (29th, Cardinals) and Jacksonville State draft-eligible sophomore pitcher Jason Zylstra (36th, Twins).

* Sikeston High School senior outfielder Vince Howard was drafted in the 30th round by the Braves.