Arizona high school baseball well represented in 2013 MLB Draft

The MLB first-year player draft has become a celebration of Arizona baseball in recent years.

And 2013 was no different, as more than 50 players with Arizona ties were taken in the three day-event that started Thursday.

The annual large number only makes sense considering Arizona is a locale where the game can be played year-round and it is a place many former and current major leaguers call home.

Of the 53 players drafted, 15 were high school seniors, the top pick being Gilbert shortstop Dustin Peterson at No. 50 overall to San Diego. But he wasn't the highest draft pick in the family as his brother D.J. Peterson was taken No. 12 overall out of New Mexico.

"It's really a dream come true," Dustin Peterson told the East Valley Tribune. "When we were little we never would have guessed. Two brothers getting drafted in the same day? It's just amazing."

It's the second time in three years it has happened for a pair of Arizona brothers, as C.J. Cron was previously taken No. 17 overall to the Angels and his brother, Kevin Cron, was taken in the third round by Seattle but chose to go to Texas Christian.

Peterson batted .540 with 10 homers and 39 RBIs this year for Gilbert, while his brother was one of the biggest offensive threats in Division I by hitting .408 with 18 homers and 72 RBIs this season.

Desert Ridge senior Riley Unroe was the other prep player taken on the first day of the draft, going No. 60 to Tampa Bay in the second round. There had been some speculation that Unroe, a USC commit, would go late in the first round, but he had to wait a little bit longer.

"There were some high hopes from 20 to 30, but I'm still very proud," Unroe told the Tribune. "I know thousands of kids would kill to be in this position."

Indications were Peterson would forgo his chance to play for Arizona State and turn pro, while Unroe was weighing his options.

"It's up in the air," said Unroe, who hit .553 with 10 home runs, 59 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. "I still have that on the table."

The second day saw the Diamondbacks take a local product as Basha's Jamie Westbrook was taken in the fifth round, No. 150 overall.

"I ran out of the house screaming and it was an overflow emotions," he told Fox Sports Arizona during the telecast of the game. "It was a great day."

He spent Saturday with the big league club shagging balls and taking a few swings before the D-backs took on the Giants at Chase Field.

"It was awesome you know," he continued. "I thought I'd be really nervous, but all the guys made me feel really at home and comfortable and treated me like a big leaguer. It was a great experience and I can only hope to be here in a few years."

Before Westbrook was taken, a couple of Hamilton players went early as Patrick Murphy went in the third round (No. 84 overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays, while Cody Bellinger, an Oregon recruit, was chosen in the fourth round (No. 124) by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The interesting thing about the Murphy pick is the fact he had Tommy John surgery about a year ago and he missed his senior year.

"I was very surprised," Murphy told the Tribune and added he'd probably sign instead of heading to Oregon. "I talked to my adviser and he was hearing sixth through 10th (round). I thought I'd be sitting around all day."

Here is a look at all of the Arizona high school picks from the 2013 MLB first-year player draft.

No. 50 Dustin Peterson, Gilbert, San Diego Padres
No. 60 Riley Unroe, Desert Ridge (Mesa), Tampa Bay Rays
No. 83 Patrick Murphy, Hamilton (Chandler), Toronto Blue Jays
No. 124 Cody Bellinger, Hamilton, Los Angeles Dodgers
No. 150 Jamie Westbrook, Basha (Chandler), Arizona Diamondbacks
No. 524 Hever Bueno, Westwood (Mesa), New York Yankees
No. 670 Zach Winn, Show Low, Texas Rangers
No. 694 M.J. Villegas, Seton Catholic (Chandler), Dodgers
No. 904 Ryan Scott, Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale), Dodgers
No. 961 Tyler Viza, Desert Vista (Phoenix), Philadelphia Phillies
No. 981 Joe Wise, Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek), Cleveland Indians
No. 1026 Brad Holland, Mesquite (Gilbert), Detroit Tigers
No. 1134 Jake Matthews, Ironwood Ridge (Tucson), Kansas City Royals
No. 1135 John Nunnally Jr., Horizon (Scottsdale), Blue Jays
No. 1204 Matt Haggerty, Seton Catholic, Dodgers

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Ahwatukee Foothills News staff writer, is an 18-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com or 480-272-2449.