Oral Roberts, Oklahoma City University Step Into Draft Spotlight

Friday, June 8th 2007, 8:49 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Despite their perennial success, the baseball programs at Oral Roberts and Oklahoma City University sometimes are overlooked by the casual fan in Oklahoma.

But judging from the Major League Baseball draft, which ended Friday, pro scouts certainly are familiar with the teams _ one from an obscure NCAA Division I conference, the other a small-college power in the NAIA.

Oral Roberts, which finished 40-17, won its 10th straight Mid-Continent Conference title and made its 10th straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, had five players taken in the 50-round draft, including three on Friday.

ORU pitcher Chance Chapman was taken in the eighth round by the Philadelphia Phillies; shortstop Jacob Kahaulelio and pitcher Erik Crichton went in the 20th round to the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers, respectively, and first baseman Chad Rothford went in the 42nd round by the San Francisco Giants.

On Thursday, ORU junior pitcher Jeremy Hefner went in the fifth round, with the 177th overall pick, to the San Diego Padres, making him the highest-drafted player from the private school in Tulsa since 1988.

``We had a good year and our program is really rising,'' Chapman said. ``We beat big-time teams year after year. Nationally, I think we're getting more and more known by people. I think the draft will definitely help us in getting our program known. The scouts definitely know about our team this year.''

Chapman went 8-1 with a 1.34 ERA for the Golden Eagles this season, striking out 127 batters and walking 28 in 94 innings. He knows that as a high-round draft choice, expectations are high that he'll reach the major leagues.

``I feel that I'm ready to go up right now and start pitching for (the Phillies),'' he said. ``I'm going to work as hard as I can and move up as fast as I can. I'm confident in my ability to play at that level.''

Oral Roberts has produced 13 future major-league players.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City University had five players chosen, including junior outfielder Kody Kaiser. The former Oklahoma player transferred to play for the Stars before this past season, and he hit .425 with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs while earning NAIA first-team All-America honors.

The Detroit Tigers selected the 5-foot-8 Kaiser, from Edmond, in the 15th round. It's the third time Kaiser has been drafted; both previous times he was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but instead opted for college.

``Right now, I'm in shock,'' Kaiser said. ``I'm glad the Tigers took an opportunity on me. Guys my size don't normally get that chance. It's been a lifetime goal I've poured out my blood, sweat and tears over. This is the first step toward achieving my dream.''

The Stars finished 50-11 this season, the ninth straight season they've won 50 or more games.

Other draftees from OCU included outfielder Patrick Norris (16th round, Kansas City Royals), shortstop-third baseman Robert Spain (19th round, Pittsburgh Pirates), catcher Brandon Harrigan (23rd round, Detroit) and outfielder-third baseman Brian Joynt (29th round, San Diego).

Norris learned to switch-hit this year and has been timed in a speedy 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash.

``I had a bunch of trouble sleeping last night because I was ready to get it over with,'' Norris said of the draft. ``I've loved the game ever since T-ball. I was always taught to have fun while playing the game. My dad pushed me so hard to be the best.''

OCU coach Denney Crabaugh has had 97 players sign pro contracts during his 20 seasons at the NAIA powerhouse. Three have reached the major leagues _ Freddy Sanchez, the National League batting champion last season with Pittsburgh; pitcher Chris Schroder, who spent part of last season with the Washington Nationals; and pitcher Joe Bisenius, who had two appearances earlier this season for Philadelphia.

During the two-day draft, 46 players with ties to the state of Oklahoma were selected, according to Major League Baseball's Web site. Of those, eight were from state high schools, 11 were from Oklahoma State and six were from Oklahoma.