June 5, 2008
SAN DIEGO - Third baseman Nick Romero became the first San Diego State player taken in the 2008 Major League Draft when he was selected in the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, June 5. He is the 17th Aztec to be drafted in the first 10 rounds since the 2000 season and the 10th since 2001 to be chosen in the top five rounds.
This past season, the junior from Chula Vista, Calif., (Eastlake HS) batted .335 with 10 doubles, two triples and 12 home runs. His dozen homers led the squad as did his 35 bases on balls that helped him compile a .418 on-base percentage. His 61 runs batted in was tops on the club while his 80 hits on the season ranked second. In addition, his home run total tied for the eighth-most in a season by an Aztecs while his 61 RBI tied for 16th-most in a season by an SDSU player.
Romero earned first-team all-Mountain West Conference honors this year after hitting .333 in league play with seven homers, 32 RBI and 21 runs scored over 24 contests. He was also a first-team all-MWC selection as a sophomore and earned second-team honors during his freshman campaign. He came to San Diego State in 2005 after being drafted in the 41st round by Kansas City following a standout prep career.
Romero stands among the top 15 on the Aztec career record lists in six categories including at bats (8th with 687); hits (12th with 212); total bases (6th with 345); home runs (3rd with 27); runs batted in (5th with 154); and walks (13th with 86).
The 2008 Major League Draft continues with the seventh round on Friday (June 6) at 8:30 a.m. (Pacific Time) and fans can click here to follow along at the MBL Draft Central site.