D-backs draft pitcher with pedigree

PHOENIX -- The D-backs selected University of Arizona left-handed pitcher Daniel Schlereth with their first-round pick, 26th overall, in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

"The way boards fall is always a challenge when you're picking where we did this year," D-backs scouting director Tom Allison said. "To see Daniel Schlereth's name there for us to take was exciting, because it allowed us to take a guy that we feel has an above-average Major League fastball and an above-average Major League curveball."

Schlereth, 22, was selected in the eighth round last year by the A's, but elected to return to the Wildcats for his senior season. He threw consistently in 93-94 mph range, but hit 97-98 during a weekend series against Stanford in mid-May, and that helped move him into the first round.

• Follow every pick
• Beckham No. 1
• Negro Leaguers
• Fantasy fallout
• Draft Reports

"He has established himself in a very good bullpen and had great success," Allison said. "We feel he has all the characteristics, the makeup, the ability to overcome adversity -- which are things that guys need to have at the Major League level."

The son of former NFL standout Mark Schlereth, he is described as having a football mentality who thrives on pitching in late, high-pressure situations.

"Obviously, my goal is to get to the big leagues as fast as possible," Schlereth said on ESPN2 following his selection. "I want to help that bullpen out as fast as I can."

Allison saw Schlereth pitch in the Area Code Games before his senior year of high school and saw him display above-average Major League velocity.

"He's had that in his arm," Allison said. "He has a very quick arm."

Schlereth throws a power curve around 80-82 mph and has a plus changeup that comes in around 79-80 mph. Physically, he resembles Philadelphia's J.C. Romero, who has pitched in the big leagues for 10 seasons. Healthy this year, Schlereth had Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery his senior year in high school and missed nearly a month last year with a rib/oblique injury.

"In our minds, he has established himself as being a completely healthy player," Allison said.

This year for the Wildcats, Schlereth was 2-0 with a 1.81 ERA in 34 relief appearances. Though he has a reputation for struggling at times with his command, he fanned 76 in 54 2/3 innings this year, while walking 20.

"I think those people that saw him last year forget that he had an injury last year and just wasn't able to finish his pitches all the way," Allison said, referring to those who may question Schlereth's control. "This year, his control has been outstanding."

With the 43rd pick overall, a compensatory selection between the first and second rounds, Arizona drafted another lefty, Wade Miley from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Schlereth has big shoes to fill. The D-backs' first-round picks in recent years have had lots of success, starting with Conor Jackson (19th overall) and Carlos Quentin (29th), who were picked in the first round in 2003. Jackson has been one of Arizona's most consistent hitters this season, while Quentin is having an outstanding year after being traded to the White Sox.

In 2004, the D-backs took Stephen Drew (15th), and he has been their starting shortstop since July 2006. The following year, Arizona nabbed Virginia high schooler Justin Upton with the first overall pick. Upton reached the big leagues last year and is the team's starting right fielder.

In 2006, the D-backs selected right-hander Max Scherzer (11th) and he took the baseball world by storm this season when he retired the first 13 batters he faced in his Major League debut. They also went the pitching route last year with right-hander Jarrod Parker (ninth). Parker, an Indiana high schooler, is currently in Class A, but impressed the staff during Spring Training.

The Draft overall has paid big dividends for the D-backs. Typically, five of the eight players in the lineup each game were drafted and developed in the Arizona organization, and that doesn't take into account the players used to acquire Randy Johnson from the Yankees or Dan Haren from the A's.

Prior to the start of the first round, the D-backs selected pitcher Bob "Peach Head" Mitchell in the ceremonial Negro Leagues Player Draft.

Sixth pick has Marlins sitting pretty

Justin Azevedo named Canadian Hockey League’s player of the year

Theissen backs Heidfeld to fight back

Blues Sign First Round Picks T.J. Oshie And Lars Eller

Rays take shortstop Beckham No. 1

After Santana, Mets drafting to restock