Bates, Powers, Wunderlich get the call from pros

Three years ago Colin Bates lost an entire baseball season because of surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder.

On Tuesday he moved a step closer to fulfilling a dream of playing professionally.

The University of North Carolina redshirt junior pitcher, a 2006 Naperville Central graduate, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 23rd round of Tuesday's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Bates, who graduated with a business degree last month, is eager to sign and begin his pro career.

"I'm more than excited about this opportunity," said Bates, who last year was selected in the 37th round by Oakland. "It's been pretty nerve-racking waiting to see what would happen. I probably haven't been too much fun to be around."

Bates, who remains in North Carolina for now, sounded much happier after receiving the news by phone from Jacob Hendrick, a teammate of Bates on the 2006 Naperville Central team that won the Class AA state championship.

Bates this spring capped a strong three-year career with the Tar Heels by posting a 6-2 record, mostly in relief, with a 3.76 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 67 innings.

Also selected on Tuesday, the second of three draft days, was Downers Grove South graduate Phil Wunderlich, a standout junior third baseman at Louisville. Wunderlich, who batted .355 with 21 homers and 62 RBI with the Cardinals, was selected in the 12th round by Tampa Bay.

Mississippi State senior first baseman Connor Powers, a Benet graduate, was selected in the 21st round by San Diego after batting .379 with 16 homers and 68 RBI. He ends his college career fourth on the Bulldogs' all-time home run list with 54.

Like Bates, Powers, who last year was drafted by the Dodgers but didn't sign, is eager to sign his contract and get to work.

"We've been done since May 22, so I'm getting pretty bored," he said with a laugh. "The only thing I wanted was to end up with a good organization, and that happened. I can't wait to get started."