Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Lions shortstop has backup plan

TAMPA -- Around 3:40 on Wednesday afternoon, way later than he had hoped, Jermaine Smith got his call.

On Day 2 of the draft, the Mariners took the King shortstop in the 36th round, lower than Smith had expected.

Smith signed with Avon Park's South Florida Community College in May but had considered the commitment to be "a backup to the draft."

"Since I'm probably not going to get that much (for a signing bonus), I'll probably go to school and try again next year," Smith said. "I'd like to get stronger and faster. I should have been involved in more pro scouting events this past year."

Jefferson rightfielder Gerald Smith was the county's highest second-day prep pick. The Reds took him in the 32nd round, No. 945 overall.

Riverview shortstop D.R. Warfield was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 33rd round (999).

Former Durant pitcher Jarvis Hicks, a freshman at SFCC, was chosen in the 37th round (1,097) by the Expos.

Hicks was named to the Times all-Hillsborough County first team in 2001, the same year he was picked by the Rangers in the 35th round.

Former Gaither pitcher Ryan Anderson also was chosen in the 37th round. The Marlins selected the St. Petersburg College left-hander with the 1,103rd pick.

Anderson was a Times all-county first-teamer, a Class 6A all-state first-teamer, the Florida Dairy Farmers 6A player of the year and the Tony Saladino award winner in 2001 before being picked by the Twins in the 14th round.

From Hillsborough Community College, pitcher Tony Irvin was selected by the Expos in the 28th round (827), and third baseman Jonathan Riggleman was selected by the Dodgers in the 37th round (1,111).

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright