June 10, 2009

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Long (Fort Worth, Texas) was selected in the 26th round (#783 overall pick) of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon during the second day of the draft. Long becomes the 10th UT Arlington pitcher selected in the MLB draft since 2001, and the first Maverick taken by the A's since Cade Sanchez (21st round) in 1999.

Long, a 6-foot-2, 210 pound right-hander, was the 13th pitcher taken by the A's and their 25th overall selection in this year's draft.

Long led the Southland Conference and broke the UT Arlington single-season record with 104 strikeouts while issuing only 29 walks this season. His team-leading 3.76 ERA ranked sixth in the SLC and he finished with a 6-4 record in 14 starts with a team-high 93.1 innings pitched. Long led the team with two complete games and he recorded one complete-game shutout.

He was selected first team All-SLC following a standout 2009 season that completed his collegiate career and placed him in several all-time UT Arlington career statistical categories. Long ranks second in strikeouts (229), seventh in appearances (60), seventh in innings pitched (271.0) and tied for eighth in starts (37).

On March 30, Long became the first UT Arlington player since 2003 to be named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Long earned national player of the week honors after striking out 15 batters - one shy of the all-time school record - while leading the Mavs to a 7-2 win against Nicholls in Thibodaux. Long was also named to the National All-Star Lineup and was named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week on March 30.

UT ARLINGTON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT SELECTIONS (since 2001)
2009: Nathan Long, RHP, Oakland Athletics - 26th Round
2007: Dillon Gee, RHP, New York Mets - 21st Round
2006: Adam Moore, C, Seattle Mariners - 6th Round
2005: Jake Baxter, RHP, Detroit Tigers - 25th Round
2005: Grant Varnell, RHP, San Diego Padres - 25th Round
2005: Nathan Warrick, OF, Houston Astros - 34th Round
2004: * Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros - 2nd Round
2004: Mark Lowe, RHP, Seattle Mariners - 5th Round
2003: Ryan Roberts, INF, Toronto Blue Jays - 18th Round
2003: Ricky Stover, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers - 29th Round
2003: Robby Deevers, OF, Milwaukee Brewers - 30th Round
2002: Daniel Ortmeier, OF, San Francisco Giants - 3rd Round
2002: K.J. Hendricks, SS, Colorado Rockies - 26th Round
2001: Joel Alvarado, C, Milwaukee Brewers - 19th Round
* Highest MLB draft pick in UT Arlington history (64th overall selection)