Illinois represented at MLB draft

Updated: June 8, 2011 6:21PM

Illinois prep prospects didn’t fare particularly well in the Major League Baseball Draft concluded Wednesday, especially since this was supposed to be a bumper crop of talent heading into the season. Only 26 players from Illinois were selected through the first 30 rounds.

New Trier outfielder Charlie Tilson was the big winner, selected in the second round, No. 79 overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Anthony Cingrani, a left-hander who pitched at Lincoln-Way Central and South Suburban College before signing with Rice, was taken in the third round by Cincinnati. Cingrani was lightly recruited out of high school.

Former St. Rita standout Tony Zych, now at Louisville, was picked in the fourth round by the Cubs. The Cubs also drafted Zych out of high school.

Kyle Gaedele, a former Rolling Meadows outfielder now at Valparaiso, was picked by the Padres in the sixth round.

Downers Grove South right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi went in the 24th round to the Twins.

Seven local high school players were drafted in the final 20 rounds on Wednesday.

Hersey pitcher Joseph Perricone was selected by Tampa Bay in the 40th round. Providence third baseman Sam Travis was picked by Cincinnati in the 40th.

Pittsburgh selected Lakes pitcher Nicholas Hibbing in the 42nd round. The Dodgers picked Glenbrook North pitcher Alex Hermeling in the 43rd round and the Pirates picked Wheaton North right fielder Jeff Schalk in the 46th round.

The White Sox chose Harlan center fielder Dontrell Rush in the 48th round and the Yankees picked St. Charles East pitcher Wesley Benjamin in the 48th.

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