MLB draft: Phillies take Central High’s Justin Miller in round 12

Central High School’s Justin Miller was selected as the first pick of the 12th round, No. 347 overall, by the Philadelphia Phillies as Major League Baseball’s amateur draft wrapped up Saturday.

Miller, a 6-foot-4, 183 pound right-hander, was the first of seven players with Fresno-area ties taken in rounds 11 through 40.

“Surreal feeling that I finally made it,” said Miller, who will choose between signing a pro contract or playing next season for Fresno City College. “Once-in-a-lifetime moment. Definitely a dream come true. I’ve worked my butt off to get where I’m at right now … just to get my name called in the draft.”

Clovis North outfielder Matthew Fraizer and Miller were the only area high school players to be drafted. Fraizer was selected in the 38th round by the Oakland A’s.

Former Fresno City College teammates Ryan Luna (Sonoma State) and Preston Scott (Hanford High/Fresno Pacific) had their names called. Colorado drafted Luna, a right-handed pitcher, in the 28th round (No. 830). Texas drafted Scott, an outfielder, in the 34th.

Luna, a Corcoran High graduate, finished his college career at Sonoma State, where he threw the program’s first no-hitter in a decade during his junior season.

Ex-College of the Sequoias pitcher Tyler Beardsley (Tehachapi/Sacramento State) was drafted by Minnesota in the 16th round. Reedley College catcher Alan Crowley (Clovis High) went in the 26th round to Atlanta.

“Mom, grandpa and my brother were next to me,” Crowley said. “I’m excited just get to an organization … any of them I would’ve been excited to go to. I’m glad it’s the Braves.”

Crowley had planned to play next season for Fresno State but will consider turning pro.

“I’m still kind of weighing my options at the moment,” he said. “Just going to enjoy the moment as it’s here. I’m excited to do this for coach (Steve) Pearse and Reedley. I wasn’t really thinking about it while the season was going on. Just whatever happens, happens.”

Bellevue RH Leland Tilley (COS/Exeter HS) was drafted by St. Louis in the 32nd round.

▪ Fresno State recruit Davis Moore was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round (1,124). Moore, a 6-4 outfielder/right-hander who starred at Los Oso High, signed a letter of intent to play with the Bulldogs in November.

▪ The son of Fresno Grizzlies manager Tony DeFrancesco, Anthony DeFrancesco, was drafted in the 37th round (No. 1,117) by the Houston Astros. Anthony starred at third base for Red Mountain High in Mesa, Ariz.

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "MLB draft: Phillies take Central High’s Justin Miller in round 12."