Chris Robinson Picked in Third Round of MLB Draft
June 7, 2005 | Baseball
June 7, 2005
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini catcher Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ontario) was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the third round (90th overall pick) of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday afternoon. Robinson becomes the highest Illinois draft pick since pitcher John Ericks was selected in the first round in 1988, and is the third-highest draft pick in school history behind only Ericks and pitcher Joe Olker, who was a second round pick in 1984.
Robinson recently earned first team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year after batting .353 with eight home runs and 37 RBI for the Big Ten Champion Fighting Illini. Known as one of the best defensive catchers in the country, Robinson led the Big Ten Conference with seven pick-offs while throwing out 43.1% of would-be base stealers in 2005.
Out of high school, Robinson was picked in the 30th round of the 2002 draft by the New York Mets but chose to attend Illinois instead of signing with the Mets.
The 2005 MLB Draft continues through Wednesday night. Full draft coverage can be found at www.mlb.com.
