Yankees Draft Switch-Pitching Venditte In 45th Round

Friday, June 8th 2007, 10:24 pm

By: News On 6

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Creighton University's Pat Venditte, who has earned national acclaim for pitching both right-handed and left-handed, was a 45th-round pick by the New York Yankees in the major league draft Friday.

Venditte had been projected to go anywhere from the 10th to 20th rounds, but he said he told scouts that he planned to return to Creighton for his senior season in 2008.

``I really never intended on signing this year, so I was surprised they took me,'' Venditte said. ``I fully intend to be back at school.''

Venditte said the Yankees called him around the 30th round and asked how much money it would take to sign him.

``It would be more than I would have gotten,'' he said. ``I never even set a price.''

He said he didn't expect a second call from the Yankees.

``I guess they're taking a chance that they can sign me this summer,'' he said.

Venditte said Creighton coach Ed Servais told him recently that if he stays in school, he would be on scholarship for the first time next year.

The first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference reliever was 8-2 with four saves as a junior. He led the Bluejays with 95 2-3 innings and 99 strikeouts.

Venditte ranked among the national leaders in appearances (38), ERA (1.88) and opponent batting average (.189). His 1.88 ERA was a single-season school record, and his career 2.61 ERA also is best in school history.

Venditte had a 43 2-3-inning scoreless streak at one point this season as the Bluejays advanced to the NCAA regionals.

``I want to help take Creighton to the next level,'' he said.

He made 30 appearances in 2007 where he pitched with both arms and recorded strikeouts with both arms in 10 of those appearances.

He throws 78 to 81 mph as a lefty and about 88 to 91 mph as a righty. He throws fastball, curveball, changeup as a righty and fastball, slider, changeup as a lefty.

He said he leaves Sunday for Wausau, Wis., where he will play summer ball in the Northwoods League.

``I have to develop the left side a little more,'' he said. ``I'm too one-dimensional, all sliders. I've got to find something to complement that.''

Venditte, under the tutelage of his father, Pat Sr., started throwing with both arms when he was 3. The younger Venditte threw footballs left-handed to build strength and muscle memory, and he would punt footballs left-footed to develop the leg kick needed for pitching.