June 3, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Three Missouri baseball players have had their names called on the first day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
University of Missouri sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin James (Yukon, Okla.) was selected by Toronto in the fifth round (140th overall), and senior CF Jayce Tingler (Smithville, Mo.) was picked by the Blue Jays in the 10th Round (290th overall) of the first day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. In addition, Texas selected junior SS Ian Kinsler (Tucson, Ariz.) with the 496th overall pick in the 17th round. The final 30 of 50 rounds will take place Wednesday.
James, whose draft position is the highest for a Tiger since Dave Silvestri was picked in the second round by Houston in 1988, was Mizzou's No. 1 starter all season long in posting a 7-6 record with a 4.03 ERA (eighth-best in the Big 12 this year). James' durable arm threw 92 strikeouts in 114 innings, which were fourth and third, respectively, in the Big 12 this year.
Tingler finished his career as Mizzou's all-time leader in hits (274), walks (168, just six shy of the Big 12 record) and runs scored (226). He also finished second in career at-bats (784) and stolen bases (66) at Missouri. His on-base percentage of .482 for his career ranks him fourth all-time at MU, and his .525 on-base percentage this season led the Big 12. Tingler's .395 batting average is currently second in the league. Among his numerous impressive accomplishments is his defensive ability in center; Tingler committed just two errors in 476 career chances (.996 fielding percentage), and none in his final two years at Mizzou. He was also 19-of-24 on the basepaths.
Kinsler, in his only season at Mizzou following stints at Central Arizona College and Arizona State, finished second on the team in hitting with a .335 average. Mizzou's full time shortstop - he started all 49 games in which he was healthy following a mid-season foot injury - Kinsler also hit six homers with 45 RBI; both numbers were third on the squad. He was also a threat to run, as he was successful on 16 of his 17 steal attempts.