June 7, 2004
Two Notre Dame baseball players have become the highest-drafted teammates in the program’s history – with junior righthander Grant Johnson (Burr Ridge, Ill.) selected in the 2nd round by his hometown Chicago Cubs while his classmate, third baseman Matt Macri (Clive, Iowa), was a 5th-round pick of the Colorado Rockies. Johnson – who has two years of eligibility remaining, if he elects not to sign with the Cubs – is the fifth Notre Dame player to be selected in the first two rounds of the MLB draft and the fourth drafted in the 1st-2nd rounds during the last seven seasons (along with pitchers Brad Lidge and Aaron Heilman and centerfielder Steve Stanley). The quality of college pitching during the 2004 season was evidenced in today’s selections, as Johnson was the 25th college pitcher selected among the first 66 picks (which included just 15 high school pitchers). Macri was the sixth third baseman selected among the first 140 picks.
Check back to und.com throughout Monday and Tuesday for updated bio. capsules on each Notre Dame draftee, in addition to quotes from the players and Irish coaches. The draft is slated to run from noon-5:00 p.m. EDT today and tomorrow, with 20 rounds on Monday and the remaining rounds on Tuesday.
(Note that, per NCAA regulations, schools are not permitted to release updated information on any letter-of-intent signee. In accordance with that policy, publicity regarding any Notre Dame signees who are selected in the 2004 MLB draft will be conducted in the fall when those players officially report to campus).