Five Tigers taken in 2010 MLB draft

The 'Big Three' and two junior pitchers were selected to play at the next level.

By John Montesantos

Published July 7, 2010

Five members of the Missouri baseball team were selected on day two of the 2010 MLB draft June 8. Seniors Aaron Senne and Michael Liberto and juniors Brett Nicholas, Nick Tepesch and Tyler Clark all had their names called.

Nicholas was the first Tiger taken, chosen by the Texas Rangers in the sixth round. The junior utility player saw action at catcher and third base this past season after transferring to Missouri from Scottsdale Community College.

Although the defensive value of playing two positions was vital to the Missouri lineup, the place the junior really stood out was at the plate. Nicholas earned All-Big 12 First Team honors with a team-best 64 RBIs and 26 multi-hit games. The first-year Tiger also put together a 19-game hitting streak in April, the longest since 2002.

Next chosen was first baseman and senior leader Aaron Senne. After turning down a 32nd round selection in the 2009 draft, Senne was taken in the 10th round by the Florida Marlins, thanks to a stellar senior season.

Missouri's 2010 batting champ made the big jump in the draft after hitting .400 with 16 home runs and 22 doubles last year. The All-American Senne topped the program's record books in career hits, doubles and extra base hits in his four years. He also became the first Tiger to hit at least .400 since 1988.

The team's only other senior and the third member of the so-called "Big Three" was also called on. Senior shortstop Michael Liberto was drafted in the 21st round by the Kansas City Royals. In his two years at Missouri, the leadoff man started in more than 100 contests.

In 2010, Liberto earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after hitting .317 with three triples and 31 RBIs. After posting a four-hit performance in the first tournament of the season, the senior sparkplug added two nine-game hitting streaks in mid-March and late April.

Although the Missouri pitching staff might have performed under expectations this season, two Tiger hurlers were picked up by the League. Junior right-hander Nick Tepesch went to the Rangers in the 14th round after leading the team with 75 strikeouts and six victories this past year. Missouri's ace came alive late in the season, throwing two complete games in his last three regular season starts. He then capped off the year with a complete game win over No. 1 Texas in the Big 12 tournament.

Tepesch turned down a bid to the pros out of high school to attend Missouri, where he struck out 176 batters in 213.0 career innings pitched.

Fellow junior righty Tyler Clark was the second pitcher taken as a 25th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers. His 26 appearances and 43 strikeouts in 2010 were both second on staff. Clark was also drafted out of high school as a late rounder by the Chicago Cubs but chose to play college ball.

The departure of seniors Senne and Liberto as well as Nicholas will be a big loss for the Missouri offense next season. The Tigers will look to their improving underclassmen and budding rookies to step up in 2011.