Lee junior catcher Michael Valadez was drafted in the 26th round by the Cleveland Indians. Valadez is expected to play in a North Carolina wooden bat league this summer. According to Brew, Valadez has not decided if he will sign with the Indians at the end of the summer or return to Lee for his senior season.
The talented Zawadzki transferred to Lee for his senior season. The native of Shrewsbury, Mass. played three seasons at San Diego State University. He helped the Flames post a 51-15 record. Lee won the Region XIII title and went on to grab its first Atlantic South Super Region crown. Zawadzki paced the Flames with a .461 average. He had 106 hits, including 26 doubles, seven triples, nine homers and 71 RBI. Lee finished 1-2 in the NAIA College World Series.
"Oh yeah, I'm excited," said Zawadzki during a phone conversation last week. "Words can't explain how I felt when my name popped up on the TV screen. I was hoping to at least go in the top 10 rounds."
Valadez joined the Lee club in late February and made an immediate impact as a catcher with tremendous quickness and hustle behind the plate. He worked daily on his hitting and before the 2007 season ended, he was considered one of the Flames biggest threats with the bat. The California native turned out to be a key factor in Lee’s tremendous season. He was a force in the Flames' march to the Region XIII and NAIA Atlantic South Super Region crowns. Lee earned a spot in the NAIA College World Series and again, Valadez played a role in helping the Flames post their first win in two appearances in the Lewiston, Idaho series.
"We are extremely proud that Mike has been given this opportunity," said coach Brew. "Like Zawadzki, Mike has worked extremely hard on a daily basis to continue to develop his game. He was virtually an unknown until about two months into the spring and we started getting several inquiries from professional scouts.
Before the draft, Lee seniors Nick Utley and Andrew Shaver signed professional independent contracts with the Macon (Ga.) Music of the South Coast League. Utley has already posted his first pitching win, while Shaver in the outfield for the Music.
Former Brewton-Parker College head baseball coach Chad Parker, is the Director of Baseball Operations and also serves as a bench coach for the Music.
