The Mariners have selected University of Georgia pitcher Josh Fields with the 20th pick in the first round of the MLB draft.
Fields was recently named the 2008 Stopper of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the SEC Pitcher of the Year by the league’s coaches. He is 16 for 16 in save opportunities this season and has allowed none of his 13 inherited runners to score. In 31 2/3 innings, Fields has struck out 56 batters and given up just 12 hits.
Fields was selected in the second round of the 2007 draft by Atlanta, but decided to return to Georgia for his senior season.
The Bulldogs will be participating in the NCAA Super Regionals against N.C. State starting tomorrow in Athens, Ga.