Klocke drafted by Cardinals in 46th round

SEMO junior catcher Jim Klocke was selected Thursday in the 46th round of baseball's 50-round draft by the Cardinals, his hometown team.

Klocke told me he doesn't know whether he'll sign with the Cardinals or return to SEMO for his senior season. Klocke has until Aug. 15 to make that decision.

I'll have a full story in Friday's Missourian.

Klocke was part of a strong draft for the OVC that saw nine league players selected, led by two of the top 101 picks.

Eastern Illinois junior pitcher Tyler Kehrer went No. 48 overall to the Angels, in the compensatory round sandwiched between the first and second rounds.

Jacksonville State junior pitcher Ben Tootle went in the third round, No. 101 to the Twins.

Eastern Illinois had two more players drafted, senior outfielder Brett Nommensen in the eighth round by the Rays and senior shortstop Jordan Kreke in the 13th round by the Braves.

Others picked were Austin Peay junior pitcher Daniel Tenholder (19th round, A's), Tennessee Tech senior pitcher Ryan Dennick (22nd, Royals), Murray State junior pitcher Daniel Calhoun (29th, Cardinals) and Jacksonville State draft-eligible sophomore pitcher Jason Zylstra (36th, Twins).

Also, Sikeston High School senior outfielder Vince Howard was drafted in the 30th round by the Braves.