Lincoln – University of Nebraska second baseman Jake Mullinax (Hesperia, Calif.) became the second Husker picked in the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, as he was chosen in the 14th round (No. 420 overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mullinax joins left-hander Justin Pekarek, an eighth-round selection by Cleveland, as Nebraska players chosen during the first 15 rounds of the 2004 Draft.
Mullinax, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the league coaches and a first-team honoree by the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram after batting .313 with eight homers and 34 RBIs this spring. Mullinax was second on the team in hits (68), homers and sacrifice bunts (12). In the field, Mullinax committed just six errors in 241 chances for a .975 fielding percentage, helping Nebraska lead the Big 12 and ranks seventh nationally with a school-record .975 fielding percentage.
"I had talked to the Cardinals briefly leading up to the draft, but anything could happen." Mullinax said. "My dad and brother were listening to the Internet, and called me as soon as I was drafted by St. Louis. It was an awesome feeling and it was nice to be drafted, and that was one of my goals when I came to Nebraska."
A two-year starter in the infield for the Huskers, Mullinax hit over .300 in both his seasons at Nebraska, starting 101 career games. One of three captains for the 2004 campaign, Mullinax earned NCAA All-Regional honors in 2003, his first season at Nebraska after transferring from Victor Valley CC. A second-team academic All-Big 12 selection in 2004, Mullinax was also the Husker Power Lifter of the Year for his efforts in the weightroom.
Career Statistics
Year Avg GP-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB-ATT
2003.... .320 48-44 125 30 40 7 0 0 21 20 25 8-10
2004.... .313 57-57 217 46 68 13 2 8 34 23 42 2-2
TOTAL... .316 105-101 342 76 108 20 2 8 55 43 67 10-12
Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
