June 7, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini catcher Lars Davis (Grande Prairie, Alberta) was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the third round (102nd overall pick) of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Thursday. Davis becomes the highest Illinois draft pick since catcher Chris Robinson was taken in the third round (90th overall selection) by the Detroit Tigers in 2005.

"Just the type of person he is, his work ethic and his talent, he is well-deseriving of being a third-round draft pick," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "Everyone involved with the Illinois baseball program is very proud of what he's done and is extremely proud of the way he's represented our program. Lars will have an extremely successful professional career."

Davis recently was named to Louisville Slugger Collegiate Baseball's All-America second team after earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He also was a semifinalist for both the Johnny Bench Award - given to the nation's top catcher - and the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation's top player. Davis was the first Illinois player to hit .400 since 1996 and led the Illini in hits (90), runs (55), home runs (13), RBI (56), slugging percentage (.644), and on-base percentage (.461). He also threw out 29 percent (24-of-84) of would-be base-stealers this season.

Out of high school, Davis was picked in the 49th round of the 2003 draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays but chose to attend Lethbridge College and then Illinois rather than signing with the Devil Rays.

In addition, Illinois signee Casey Crosby (Elburn, Ill.) was taken by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round, the 181st pick overall. A 6-5, 200-pound left-handed pitcher at Kaneland High School, Crosby signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Illini for the 2007-08 school year. He now has the option of signing with the Tigers or coming to Illinois.

The 2007 MLB Draft will resume Friday at 10:30 a.m. (CT). Full draft coverage can be found at www.mlb.com.