Conover, Johnson, Lincecum Drafted By MLB Teams
June 8, 2005
Three more University of Washington baseball players were selected on the second and final day of Major League Baseball's annual draft Wednesday as rounds 19 through 50 of the 50-round draft were completed.
The UW's drafted players where senior Josh Conover, senior Taylor Johnson and sophomore Tim Lincecum.
Conover, a right-handed pitcher from Lake Washington High in Kirkland, Wash., was the first UW player taken on the second day of the draft. Conover was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 23rd round, the 698th overall selection.
Conover, a fifth-year senior that originally came to the UW as an infielder, emerged as the Husky closer in 2005. In 22 appearances this past season, he compiled a 1-2 record with a 1.67 earned run average and six saves. In 27 innings, he allowed only 17 hits while striking out 23.
Johnson, an outfielder from Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash., was drafted by Cincinnati in the 25th round, 752th overall. A starter throughout most of his four seasons at Washington, Johnson had his best year in 2005. He hit .307 with eight home runs, 42 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases. Johnson led the UW in steals, shared the team lead in homers and was second in RBI.
Lincecum, a two-time All-Pac-10 selection and the Pac-10's Pitcher and Freshman of the Year in 2004, played two seasons at the UW and was eligible for the draft thanks to his age (he turns 21 later this month). He was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 42nd round (1,261st overall). As a high-school senior in 2003, he was drafted by the Cubs in the 49th round.
The former state player of the year from Renton's Liberty High, Lincecum broke the Huskies' single-season strikeouts record with 161 as a freshman in 2004.
In 2005, he was 8-6 with a 3.11 earned run average and 131 strikeouts in 104.1 innings. In his two-year career, he has posted an 18-9 record with a 3.32 ERA and 292 strikeouts in 216.2 career innings. His 292 Ks are only 11 short of the Husky record of 303, set by Jeff Heaverlo (1997-99). During his two seasons, opponents have batted only .194 off of Lincecum.
While both Conover and Johnson have completed their college eligibility, Lincecum still has two years remaining at the UW should he choose not to sign with the Indians.
Tuesday, in the first day of the draft, two Huskies were selected: shortstop Brent Lillibridge by the Pirates (4th round) and pitcher Keaton Everitt by the Yankees (17th round).
