George Washington University Athletics
Six Colonials Drafted by Four National League Teams
6/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 5, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC - Six George Washington University baseball players have been selected by four teams in the 2002 Major League Baseball free agent draft. Five seniors including Mike O'Connor (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. St. Joseph's), Mike Bassett (Paramus, NJ/Paramus), Tony Brown (Hockessin, DE/A.I.DuPont), Jason Baker (Accokeek, MD/DeMatha), and Matt Krimmel (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland), along with junior Jake Wald (Alexandria, VA/T.C. Williams) were selected June 4-5. The Montreal Expos and Cincinnati Reds each selected two Colonials, while the San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers chose two other players.
O'Connor was the first Colonial taken when the Expos drafted him in the seventh round with the 197th pick. O'Connor (4-2) appeared in 29 games this season, leading the team with nine saves and 22 games finishes. He struck out 68 batters, while walking just 26 in 48 innings. O'Connor held opponents to a .152 batting average, the lowest on the pitching staff. This season he was named to the Atlantic 10 Baseball All-Conference first team.
Bassett was selected by the Reds with the 315th pick in the 11th round. He finished the year batting .382 in 63 games. He had 92 hits including 19 homers, scored 60 runs, and collected 77 RBIs. His outstanding play in 2002 saw him break several GW career records, including home runs (62), RBIs (254), total bases (535), hits (290), runs (198), at-bats (846), and games played (231). Bassett was named to the Atlantic 10 Baseball All-Conference first team, to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team, and to the NCAA All-Regional Team. He also was named A-10 Player of the Week three times this season, as well as Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 Championship and GW Baseball's MVP.
The Giants drafted Wald with the 337th pick in the 11th round. The shortstop started 62 games and made just 18 errors in 279 chances. He batted .333 with 12 home runs, 17 doubles, and 52 RBIs, while leading the team with 67 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Wald holds the GW single-season records for runs scored (67) and assists (181). He was named to Atlantic 10 Baseball All-Conference second team and to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team, while earning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors one time this season.
Brown was selected by the Expos in the 18th round. He played in 50 games, collected 50 hits and 24 RBIs, while leading the team with six sacrifice bunts. His exceptional speed allowed him to swipe eight bases, as well as make many stellar defensive plays in center field.
The Brewers selected Baker in the 31st round. As one of GW's key starters, he pitched 95.1 innings with an ERA of 5.00. Baker (5-7) struck out 72 batters, while walking only 16 this season. He threw three complete games and led the team with 34 batters struck out looking.
Krimmel was drafted by the Reds in the 36th round. He batted .344 this season, playing 63 games, primarily at third base. He homered 13 times, collected 65 RBIs and led the team with 23 doubles to earn the GW single-season record for doubles. Krimmel was once named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week and NCBWA National Hitter of the Week, while being named to the Atlantic 10 Baseball All-Conference second team.
