June 10, 2009
SECAUCUS, N.J. — Kentucky sophomore shortstop Chris Wade has been selected 338th overall in the 2009 MLB Draft, going to the Florida Marlins in the 11th round, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.
Wade, a Lexington, Ky., native and 2009 second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection at shortstop, becomes the third UK player to be selected in the 2009 MLB Draft, joining lefties James Paxton (Toronto Blue Jays; No. 37; 1st round) and Chris Rusin (Chicago Cubs; No. 140; 4th round).
Wade, in his third year after redshirting during the 2007 season, hit .313 (56-for-179) in 50 starts during the 2009 season, pounding out 10 doubles, one triple, six homers and 41 RBI, leading the team with 14 steals in 17 attempts. The six-foot, 160-pounder out of Lexington Christian Academy, has been known throughout the last two years as one of the better defensive shortstops in the nation, fielding .962 in 2009, totaling 73 putouts and 130 assists, committing just eight errors, despite playing much of the year on an injured hamstring.
While starting all but four games of his collegiate career at shortstop, a total of 113 games, Wade has batted .304 (123-for-405), with 77 runs scored and 34 doubles, adding 11 homers and 93 RBI, stealing 20-of-25 bases. In 2008, as a freshman, Wade led the SEC with 24 doubles in 63 games, hitting .296 and driving in 51 RBI.
After the SEC coaches voted Wade second team All-SEC in 2009, he became the first UK shortstop to earn All-SEC honors since Dickie Parsons in 1961. Wade is one of only four UK players all-time to earn first or second-team All-SEC honors as a shortstop in the 105-year history of the program.
