Folli Drafted in 42nd Round of MLB Draft

Junior becomes second Bull to be drafted since program reinstated in 2000

Mike Folli

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo infielder Mike Folli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) has already had an exciting post-season, having been recognized as a first-team selection by the Mid-American Conference. On Saturday, it got even better as the junior was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 42nd round of the Major League Baseball draft.

With his selection, Folli becomes the second Bulls' player to be drafted since UB reinstated baseball for the 2000 season. Former Bull Joe Mihalics was drafted in the 34th round of the 2005 draft by the New York Mets. That was the same year that Folli earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors and was honored for the first time by the MAC, earning All-MAC second team honors after batting .348 and .410 in conference games. Folli also hit in 22 straight games as a freshman, a modern era UB record.

This past spring, Folli continued to make UB history, becoming the first Bull to earn first-team All-MAC honors, as well as the first to earn MAC post-seasons kudos on multiple oocasions. Folli finished eighth in the league in batting with a team-high .346 batting average. That average shot up to .360 in conference games as Folli often started any UB threat as he batted in the leadoff spot. Folli, who started 46 of 47 games, also led the team with 65 hits and was tied for the team lead with 13 doubles and 12 stolen bases. This summer he will play for the Outer Banks Daredevils in the Coastal Plains League.

“We are very excited for Mike and obviously thrilled as a program to have another player selected in the MLB draft,” said head coach Ron Torgalski, whose team narrowly missed a MAC playoff berth with an 11-16 conference mark, the most wins Buffalo has ever had in league play. “Mike has been an outstanding player since he arrived at UB, and was a huge part of our success this season.”

06/09/2007