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These are some of the notable El Pasoans taken in the MLB Draft through the years

felix f. chavez, el paso times
·4 min read

Former Coronado High School baseball standout Ivan Melendez is projected to be taken in the Major League Baseball Draft, which will be held July 17-20 around the MLB All-Star Game. He was taken in the 16th round last season but returned to the University of Texas and improved his draft status with a strong season, which included winning the Big 12 Player of the Year and the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's top college baseball player.

Here is a look at some notable El Pasoans, who have been taken in the MLB Draft through the years.

Alan Zinter

Selected in the first round, 24th overall selection by the New York Mets in the 1989 draft. Played 19 seasons of professional baseball (1989-2007) with the New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros and in Japan. He attended Hanks High School.

Armando Almanza

The Bel Air graduate was selected in the 1993 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He earned a World Series ring in 2033 with the Florida Marlins. Played in the major leagues for seven years with the Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves.

Canutillo head baseball coach Armando Almanza and his team celebrate at a game against Del Valle High School on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Canutillo High School, in El Paso, Texas.
Canutillo head baseball coach Armando Almanza and his team celebrate at a game against Del Valle High School on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Canutillo High School, in El Paso, Texas.

Bruce Ruffin

The Hanks graduate was was taken in the second round (34th overall) of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. During his MLB career, he won 60 games, earned 63 saves, pitched in 469 games and had 24 saves in 1996 for the Colorado Rockies. Pitched for the University of Texas and was a teammate of Roger Clemens.

Butch Henry

The Eastwood graduate was taken in the 15th round of the 1987 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. Won 33 games in the major leagues and 54 games in the minor leagues. Was an All-State performer for Eastwood in 1987.

Frank Castillo

At the age of 22, he made his Major League debut on June 27, 1991 pitching eight shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Drafted and signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1987 when he was selected in the sixth round of the draft.

Castillo, who attended Eastwood High School, spent seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He also pitched for the Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and ending his career with the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox. His 13-year Major League career saw him appear in 297 games.

More:Surprise! MLB, union can't agree on international draft as deadline draws near

Rocky Coppinger

The Coronado graduate, who helped the Thunderbirds to the state tournament, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round of the 1993 draft.

Made his Major League debut in 1996, three years after finishing his high school career. Pitched for the Orioles and compiled a 10-6 record finishing third in the “Rookie of the Year” balloting. Played with the Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s before injuries ended his playing career.

Omar Quintanilla

The Socorro High school graduate was a star in college at the University of Texas, Quintanilla played second base, third base, and shortstop, and appeared in two national championship games, winning one.

In 2003, he was selected in the first round by the Oakland Athletics. He later played in the major leagues for the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers and New York Mets.

All City Baseball MVP Darell Hernaiz of Americas High School poses Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Americas' baseball field in El Paso.
All City Baseball MVP Darell Hernaiz of Americas High School poses Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Americas' baseball field in El Paso.

Darell Hernaiz

The Americas graduate was taken in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and has been a key contributor in the minor league system for the organization. He is currently with High-A Aberdeen.

Fernando Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who attended Franklin High School, was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 11th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft, and signed with the club on June 25, 2003. He won 11 major games and struck out 242 batters. Late in his career, he returned home to pitch for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

Mark Grudzielanek

The Hanks graduated was actually drafted twice. Grudzielanek was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 17th round of the 1989 MLB Draft but did not sign. He was then drafted in the 11th round of the 1991 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos and signed on June 11, 1991.

He went on to hit .289 with 2,040 hits and 90 home runs. He played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians.

Justin Maese

The Ysleta graduate was selected in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and currently is on the roster for the Double-A Mississippi Braves in the Atlanta Braves organization.

More: Ivan Melendez earns honor https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/sports/2022/06/02/ivan-melendez-named-national-player-year-collegiate-baseball/7486883

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Notable El Pasoans taken in the MLB draft