UT outfielder Davis selected by Milwaukee; Morgado in third round to White Sox

Tennessee baseball coach Todd Raleigh would love to have Kentrail Davis return to the Vols next season for his junior year.

But after the first day of the Major League Baseball draft, Raleigh doubts Davis will be back.

The 5-foot-9 center fielder was selected with the 39th overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. He was the seventh pick in the supplemental round after 32 picks were made in the first round.

UT pitcher Bryan Morgado also may not return. Morgado, a 6-3, 205-pound left-handed pitcher, was selected 102nd overall in the third round by the Chicago White Sox.

Davis and Morgado were eligible to be drafted after two years because Davis turns 21 on June 29 and Morgado turns 21 on Dec. 8.

“It’s not a surprise at all,” Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh said of Davis’ selection. “To me he’s a first-round talent, and that’s where he went. I think it’s great for Tennessee and it’s great for Kentrail.”

Raleigh said it will “be tough for us to keep him” around for his junior year.

“The general rule is you don’t turn down first round. That’s generally a lot of money,” Raleigh said. “Each situation is unique. I think he’s one of the few kids that’s not going to panic and sign for nothing. I think he has his dollar amount in mind and that’s what he’s going to go with.

“It’s a tough call right now. The Brewers are a low-market team, but you’ve got to think at the same time they knew of the price tag to fully attract him. I’m sure they kind of knew what he was wanting.”

Davis was drafted out of high school in 2007. He was selected in the 14th round (432nd pick) by the Colorado Rockies.

Davis started all 55 games this season for the Vols. He finished with a .308 batting average and 66 hits, including 12 doubles, four triples and nine home runs. He had 30 RBIs.

“He can hit for average and power,” Raleigh said. “He does everything well. He runs well and he plays good defense. His arm has improved tremendously in two seasons here. He plays the game hard and I think people like that.”

Scouting reports on MLB.com questioned whether or not Davis would be able to cut it in center field and suggested he might quickly move to left field. Raleigh had read those reports and disagreed with them.

“Some people talk about his arm,” Raleigh said. “I don’t know who writes some of that stuff. His arm has improved a lot and he runs pretty good, so I could see him still staying in center field.

“I would be surprised to see him move that quickly from center field. I think maybe later in his career, if he loses a step or something, that could happen. I think right now he’s still going to be in center field.”

Morgado had a 6.35 ERA this season. He started five games and finished 4-2 with two saves.

“I am excited just about being taken,” Morgado said. “I was not expecting the White Sox at all but it is an awesome feeling. I am excited to get to work but right now I am just celebrating with my family.”

Morgado pitched 52.1 innings, giving up 55 hits and 44 runs — 37 of them earned. He had 75 strikeouts and 36 walks.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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