The Boston Red Sox selected University of Utah junior right-hander Stephen Fife in the third round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft Thursday, taking him with the 85th overall pick.
Fife, who played at Borah High School in Boise, Idaho, played the 2006 season at Everett Community College.
Fife was an all-conference selection at Everett, where he had a record of 9-2.
Fife was the second selection from the Mountain West Conference in MLB’s draft on Thursday. Only TCU’s reliever, Andrew Cashner, went ahead of Fife. Overall, Fife was the 29th right-handed pitcher picked up in the draft.
“This is a dream come true,” said Fife after the selection. “I’m here in Boise with my friends and family, and we all just exploded with excitement when I found out that the Boston Red Sox picked me.”
Fife, who was ranked 57th among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, was Utah’s top pitcher in the 2008 season.
“I’m really excited for Stephen,” said Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg. “It’s a great honor and he’s worked very hard to earn it. I couldn’t be happier for him, and I know he’s excited for this opportunity.”
Fife led the Utes in strikeouts, innings pitched (92), complete games (two) and was one of two Utah hurlers to record a shutout this year. He had a record of 7-5 with a 3.72 earned run average.
Trevor May, who pitched Kelso High School to a 5-1 victory over Meadowdale in the Class 3A state semifinals, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth routh (136th overall).
The only other selection from the state of Washington on the first day (six rounds) of the two-day draft was Long Beach State pitcher Dave Roberts of Renton. Roberts played at Eastside Catholic High School.
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