Eight Razorback players selected in baseball draft

FAYETTEVILLE — Five University of Arkansas baseball players were selected on the final day of Major League Baseball’s first- year player draft Wednesday.

Senior shortstop Tim Carver was the first Razorback selected, going in the 19th round ( 608th overall) to the Philadelphia Phillies. Senior outfielder Sam Bates went to the Kansas City Royals in the 28th round ( No. 853), while junior left- handed

Randall Fant was picked in the 29th round ( No. 893) by the Cleveland Indians. Also taken Wednesday were junior outfielder/ right- handed pitcher Derrick Bleeker ( 37th round, No. 1,122) by the Baltimore Orioles and redshirt sophomore outfield Jacob Morris ( 37th round, No. 1,133).

Razorbacks drafted Tues- day were junior third baseman Matt Reynolds ( second round, No. 71) by the New York Mets, sophomore pitcher Nolan Sanburn ( second round, No. 74) by the Oakland Athletics and junior pitcher DJ Baxendale ( 10th round) by the Minnesota Twins. With a 17- 8 record and 10 saves for an Arkansas career that began in 2010, Baxendale is one of five finalists for the Premier Player of College Baseball Player Award.

The Razorbacks are preparing for a best- of- three NCAA Super Regional series against Baylor in Waco, Texas, starting Saturday. Arkansas went 3- 0 in last weekend’s Houston Regional,

hosted by Rice.