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Monmouth's Kyle Higgins

West Long Branch, NJ -- Monmouth University senior Kyle Higgins (Green Brook, N.J./Watchung Hills) was selected in the 31st round by the Texas Rangers, with the 933rd pick in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, while classmate Brad Brach (Freehold, N.J./Freehold) was chosen in the 42nd round by the San Diego Padres, with the 1,275th pick.

Higgins, the 2008 Northeast Conference Player of the Year, led the league in average, hits and runs scored this season. Brach, the 2007 Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year, was a two-time all-league pitcher. Higgins and Brach become the fourth and fifth Monmouth baseball players since 2003 to be selected in the MLB Draft, joining Mike St. Martine (Montreal, 2003), Lance Koenig (Houston, 2003) and Chris Della Rocco (St. Louis, 2004).

Higgins, a junior eligibilty-wise, led the Hawks this season, tying a single-season record with 89 hits, while leading the conference with a .389 average and 51 runs scored. The shortstop, Monmouth’s leadoff batter, also drove in 38 runs and added 14 doubles, four triples and and two home runs.

"It was a relief at first to be drafted, because I was starting to lose hope," commented Higgins. "But since I got the call, it’s been pure excitement. I will be leaving next week and it’s back to business. I am looking forward to playing pro ball. I really liked the way the Texas organization approached me, and they seemed sincere in all of our dealings."

"This is a great honor for Kyle," said Monmouth head coach Dean Ehehalt. "He has worked extremely hard towards this. It is nice to see a kid set goals and reach them. He is very deserving and we wish him the best in his career at the next level."

Brach is the all-time leader in career wins at Monmouth, earning victories in 29 games, while he also holds the top spot on the all-time strikeout list with 277. He is also the only pitcher in Monmouth history to work over 300 career innings.

"It was a pretty long day, but it’s awesome that I’m a professional baseball player now," commented Brach. "The scout called me from Petco Park and said I’d be heading to camp in the next week or so."

"Brad did everything he could at Monmouth and set the standard for pitchers," said head coach Dean Ehehalt. "This completes his collegiate career and now can has the opportunity to add to his legacy." 

Monmouth set a new school-record with 37 wins this season and won the NEC Regular Season crown after going 20-5 in league play.