A’S SELECT BLAKE CROSBY ON THIRD DAY OF MLB DRAFT

6/11/2009

SECAUCUS, N.J. - Sacramento State senior first baseman Blake Crosby was selected in the 42nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Oakland A’s on the draft’s third day.

Crosby had a strong senior campaign, posting a .397 batting average which ranks ninth in the school’s single season history. The Cypress, Calif., native was a model of consistency, hitting .396 inside of conference play as well. He slugged a career-high four home runs and 47 RBI in 2009, connecting on his first career grand slam on March 24 at Oregon, and legging out his first career triple on February 28 at Cal Poly. He also made an appearance on the pitcher’s mound, throwing an inning on May 14 at home against Fresno State.

Before making the move to first base in 2009, Crosby spent his first two years at Sacramento State as the team’s everyday shortstop, where he committed just 13 errors in 90 starts. He finished his career as a .318 lifetime hitter, ranking ninth in school history in hits with 164 during his three seasons in the Green and Gold. Crosby transfered to Sacramento State as a sophomore, following a freshman season at BYU where he played third base and hit .322 with 23 RBI.

The A’s are no stranger to drafting Crosbys, having selected Blake’s older brother, Bobby, in the first round of the 2001 draft. Bobby is in his sixth season with the A’s, having also played first base for the first time in his career this season. His father, Ed, was a six-year big leaguer, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians during the mid-70’s.