June 3, 2003
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech junior outfielder Matt Murton, senior pitcher Chris Goodman and junior pitcher Kyle Bakker were selected on the first day of the 2003 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. Senior pitcher Jeff Watchko was selected on day two of the draft on Wednesday.
Murton (McDonough, Ga.) was a supplemental first round selection by the Boston Red Sox. The left fielder, who was undrafted coming out of high school, becomes the ninth Georgia Tech player drafted in the first round. Other Tech first round picks include Kevin Brown (1986), Ty Griffin (1988), Jason Varitek (1993, 1994), Nomar Garciaparra (1994), Jay Payton (1994), Mark Fischer (1997), Mark Teixeira (2001) and Richard Lewis (2001).
Murton hit .301 with 13 home runs and a team high 56 RBI in 2003, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a 44-18 record.
Goodman (Marietta, Ga.), a former shortstop who began pitching for the first time in the 2002 season, was taken in the fifth round by the Kansas City Royals after being selected in the 16th round by the Florida Marlins in 2002. Goodman, who was undrafted out of high school, led the Yellow Jackets with nine wins and a 3.84 ERA in 86.2 innings.
Bakker (Omaha, Neb.) was drafted with the final pick of day one by the Atlanta Braves (20th round). Bakker, a 6-9 left-hander who has been the ace of the Georgia Tech staff the last two seasons, is 25-6 with a 3.46 ERA in his collegiate career.
Watchko (Roswell, Ga.) was taken in the 24th round of the draft by the Colorado Rockies. Watchko, who was undrafted out of high school, finished his collegiate career third all time in appearnces (115) and fourth in saves (19) in Georgia Tech history.
Georgia Tech Players in the DraftPlayer Class Pos. Round TeamMatt Murton Jr. OF 1st* Boston Red SoxChris Goodman Sr. RHP 5th Kansas City RoyalsKyle Bakker Jr. LHP 20th Atlanta BravesJeff Watchko Sr. RHP 24th Colorado Rockies*denotes supplemental first round draft pick
