Trevecca Nazarene University's Craig Stem, a starting pitcher from Nashville, Tennessee, was drafted Tuesday by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 15th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Stem was the 464th player picked in the draft.

Stem transferred to Trevecca from Western Kentucky University prior to the 2010-2011 school year. Stem played his high school ball at Donelson Christian Academy in Donelson, Tennessee.

Stem had an 8-4 overall record with a 3.93 earned run average this season. He pitched five complete games with one shutout over 73.1 innings. He added a team-high 75 strikeouts while opposing batters hit just .222 against him.

In TranSouth conference games he compiled a 4-3 record with a 3.12 ERA and had four complete games and one shutout. Conference batters managed to hit just .212 against him while he struck out 41 batters in 43.1 innings pitched.

Stem said waiting for his name to be announced was nerve wracking, especially since the Dodgers weren't one of the teams that had called him on Tuesday.

"We had been waiting, hoping to be picked earlier, but weren't really paying attention when the Dodgers called my name because they didn't call ahead of time. We had heard from several other teams today, but each time they picked someone else."

When his name was called, Stem said it was a great celebration.

"After a short pause, everyone began to hug and celebrate. It was great to have my family there and is just a special day, one I'll never forget," he said.

"This wouldn't have happened without coach [Jonathan] Burton giving me a chance to put the innings in on the mound. [Pitching] Coach [Luke] Brown worked with me all fall looking at video and becoming crisp with my mechanics. He has such a gift with teaching pitching mechanics.

"The team was great this year. They supported me even on the days where my control was off a little. This was the best team I've ever played with. We were close and I want to thank all my teammates for their support and play behind me this season."

Brown, a former NAIA All-American pitcher, says Stem's work ethic matches his great natural ability.

"For someone to have his natural ability and size it would be easy to get complacent," Brown said. "This was not the case with Craig at all. He was one of the hardest workers on the team and deserves the honor of being drafted. It was a great opportunity to be able to coach someone not only with a great physical skill set, but who is also a great person and teammate. It will be great to see him pitch for years to come and I have no doubt to the success he will have in the future."

Stem wasn't the only Trojan drafted this year.

PJ Francescon, a junior pitcher from Nolensville, Tennessee, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 40th round, giving the university two players drafted in the same year for the first time.

Francescon transferred to Trevecca from Middle Tennessee State University prior to the 2010-2011 school year.

He produced a 6-2 overall record this season with a 3.28 ERA. He had a team-high six complete games and two shutouts with 66 strike outs over 68.2 innings pitched. Opposing batters hit .266 against Francescon this year. He excelled in TranSouth conference games with a 6-0 with a 2.12 ERA while striking out 43 in 42.1 innings pitched. Francescon had a career-high 14 strike outs against Martin Methodist in the TranSouth tournament.

He was named TranSouth Pitcher of the Week twice.

Francescon was surfing on his laptop when his name was called.

"I had been following along for two days waiting to be picked," he said. "As soon as it was announced my phone went crazy and my mom came home early to celebrate. There were tears of joy."

As to whether he'll sign, Francescon says that it is possible.

"We'll talk with the Cubs and if their offer is right, I'll have to consider signing."

The two Trojan pitchers were the only players from Nazarene schools drafted in 2011.

Trevecca draft history

Brad Coon, who reached Triple-A Salt Lake for more than a season, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 15th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Coon is currently in the Dodgers organization playing for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.

Former TNU pitcher and Coon's teammate B.J. Jenkins was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 28th round in the 2004 draft.

Former Trevecca pitcher Tim Dunn was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 46th round of the 2009 draft. Dunn returned for his senior season at Trevecca, but an arm injury prevented him from being drafted again in 2010.

Trevecca outfielder Mario Campos was a 29th round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 2001 draft. Another Trojan outfielder, Seth Richmond, was taken in the 1983 draft when the Houston Astros picked him in the 24th round.

Mike Mills, who pitched his senior year at Birmingham Southern but played for Trevecca prior to his final season, was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 1983 draft. Mills, while with Trevecca, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 32nd round of the 1982 draft.

Dunn, Coon, Jenkins, Campos, Richmond, and Mills are the only known Trojans that have been drafted by a Major League team. Trevecca has had several players signed by Major League teams. Rob Erwin, Keith Black, Eric Van Slyke, Luke Brown, Maurice Cole, and Jeremy Todd were signed and played professional.
--Trevecca Athletics