Cave drafted by Diamondbacks in 19th round

HOBBS, N.M. — New Mexico Junior College outfielder Jacy Cave became the 48th player in the Thunderbird baseball program's 25-year history to be picked in the MLB draft when he was selected in the 19th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Cave, a Farmington native and Piedra Vista graduate, hit .472 this season to lead the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (second in the NJCAA) to go along with 20 home runs (second in the WJCAC, fourth in the NJCAA) and 82 RBI (second in the WJCAC, seventh in the NJCAA). He was named an NJCAA Second-Team All-American for his efforts.

"He has just pure, raw power – definitely the most in my eight years here," NMJC coach Josh Simpson said of Cave. "I would put his name against anybody that has played here. He hit 20 home runs in the dead-ball, dead-bat era. That's amazing."

Cave, who is signed with the University of Utah and has until July 15 to sign with the Diamondbacks if he chooses to do so, is the eighth highest draft pick in NMJC history and the third highest position player taken behind Marcus Greene in 2013 (16th round) and Adalberto Santos in 2007 (17th round).

Since the T-Bird baseball program was started in 1991, NMJC has had a player drafted every season except three (1998, 2000, 2012). 

LIST OF NMJC PLAYERS DRAFTED PRIOR TO THIS YEAR

Cave wasn't the only player with NMJC ties drafted Wednesday as T-Bird alum and Texas Tech left-handed pitcher Cameron Smith was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 36th round.

Smith pitched for NMJC in 2012 and 2013, accumulating a stellar 17-4 mark with a 2.81 ERA in 25 games (22 starts). In his two years at Texas Tech, Smith went 14-8 with a 2.81 ERA in 39 games (17 starts).

"He'll pitch in the big leagues some day – you watch," Simpson said of Smith. "He's mature beyond his years. He watches the game and understands it. He trusts his ability. He doesn't throw 95, but he's comfortable with who he is and he's going to win."