Leyden's Weaver goes to White Sox in draft

Leyden ace Jonathan Weaver was the first Chicago area high school player to be selected in baseball's First-Year Player Draft, going to the White Sox in the 17th round Friday.

Weaver, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-hander, was the 510th overall pick. He led the Eagles to the Class 4A sectional finals this spring, fnishing 7-2 with a 1.04 earned run average and 95 strikeouts in 60 innings.

Conant lefty Austin Wright went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 23rd round as the 684th overall selection. The 6-3, 220-pounder was 3-3 with a 1.80 ERA as a senior.

The Kansas City Royals picked Sandburg right-hander Greg Billo in the 28th round with the 835th overall pick. 

Outfielder Kyle Gaedele of Rolling Meadows went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 32nd round, 953rd overall. He hit .440 with seven homers and 28 RBI this spring. 

Joliet Catholic's John Ruettiger, who struck out 10 but lost 5-1 to Rock Falls Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals, went to the Texas Rangers in the 35th round as an outfielder.

Three Public League players were drafted, including the Young duo of shortstop Julian Kenner (45th round, White Sox) and third baseman Troy White (49th round, Cleveland). Simeon's Steven Florence was taken by the White Sox in the 50th round.

Also selected were St. Charles North pitcher Daniel Jimenez (37th round, St. Louis), Lake Zurich third baseman Joe DeBernardis (38th, Florida), Illiana Christian third basmena Braden Kapteyn (39th, San Francisco), Lockport pitcher Steve Sabatino (42nd, White Sox), St. Rita pitcher Tony Zych (46th, Cubs), West Chicago shortstop Barrett Serrato (48th, Florida), Wheaton North first baseman Travis Otto (49th, White Sox) and Grant pitcher Kyle Stroup (50th, Boston).