Chapman outfielder Semel drafted by Mets

ORANGE, Calif. - It's becoming an annual occurrence at Chapman - every June to be exact.

Chapman University OF John Semel has been selected by the New York Mets in the 26th round of Major League Baseball's 2009 First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday afternoon, the second day of the draft. The All-America sophomore was the 794th pick overall and becomes the ninth Panther since 1999 to be selected by an MLB organization.

Semel earned All-Region and All-America honors from both the ABCA and D3Baseball.com after batting .415 with 12 homers and 51 RBI. He led Chapman in nine offensive categories, including stolen bases (24), total bases (142) and on-base percentage (.483). He also struck out just eight times in 242 plate appearances this season, helping Chapman to a third place finish at the Division III championships last month.

The right-hander also served as the Panthers' closer, ranking No. 4 in Division III with nine saves. He posted a 2.61 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 41.1 innings but was drafted to play outfield. He is just the third position player selected from Chapman in its Division III history. He was also one of just eight Division III players selected on the second day of the draft.

Semel is a red-shirt sophomore, recently completing his third year of college, thus making him eligible for the draft. The Palos Verdes, Calif. native spent the 2007 season as a red-shirt at Gonzaga University (Wash.) and then played the past two seasons at Chapman.

Since 1966, a total of 64 Chapman baseball players have been selected in the draft. This marks the fifth straight year at least one Panther has been taken by a Major League club.