Cal State Fullerton teammates Christian Colon and Gary Brown were selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Major League Draft. Colon was selected fourth overall by the Kansas City Royals, while Brown went to the San Francisco Giants as the 24th pick. Colon and Brown become the Titans' 11th and 12th first-rounders and first tandem in their 36-year Division I history.
Colon also becomes the fifth highest overall selection for the Big West Conference and the highest pick since 2006 when Long Beach State's Evan Longoria was selected third overall by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Titans now have four Top 5 overall picks with Colon joining Phil Nevin (No. 1 overall), Adam Johnson (No. 2 overall), and Mike Harkey (No. 4 overall).
The junior shortstop from Corona, Calif., collected 2010 All-Big West First Team honors after ranking in the top 10 in runs scored (1st - 62), home runs (3rd - 13), RBI (4th - 58), hits (5th - 82), slugging percentage (6th - .606) and on-base percentage (9th- .436). Having the Titans still alive in the NCAA Tournament gives the 2010 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and 2009 Stopper of the Year finalist an opportunity to add to his already impressive numbers. The Titans host Minnesota tonight with the winner advancing to the Super Regionals against UCLA.
Brown, currently sidelined with a broken finger after sliding into second base on a successful steal attempt on May 16, was named 2010 Big West Player of the Year after leading the conference in batting average (.438), on-base percentage (.485), runs scored (62), hits (92), triples (8) and stolen bases (31). The Golden Spikes Award seminfinalist also ranks nationally in the Top 20 in batting average and triples. With the NCAA Tournament still on the docket, Brown currently holds the schools best single-season batting average at .438, topping Steve Woodwards .431 clip set in 2000. His average also ranks second all-time in the Big West annals.
In the new format of the MLB First-Year Player Draft, day one showcased the first 50 picks (Round 1 and Supplemental) with the remaining round selections being announced on Tuesday and Wednesday. Day two of the three-day Major League Draft begins at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) on Tuesday, June 8.