Bolen Selected by Tampa Bay in MLB Draft

June 4, 2003

LOUISVILLE, KY - University of Louisville senior outfielder Josh Bolen was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 46th round of the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft on Wednesday. Bolen, from Pekin, Illinois, was overall selection number 1,349 as the first selection of the 46th round.

Bolen, who was selected in the 40th round of the 2001 draft by the Boston Red Sox, was a two-year starter for the Cards who started every game of his career in the outfield, a total of 114 consecutive starts.

Bolen was named second-team All-C-USA following the 2003 season, during which he lead the team in nine major offensive categories, including average(.364), doubles(16), triples(4), home runs(8) and RBI(54).

His 61 runs scored was tied for the ninth-highest total in U of L history and his 86 hits ranks him tenth. He was 11 for 12 on stolen bases and made seven assists in the outfield, with just one error.

As a junior, Bolen hit and even .300 with 16 doubles, nine home runs and 38 RBI, while scoring 48 runs. He was 8 of 12 on steals and had nine assists in the outfield with just one error.

Bolen was an All-Conference, All-Region and All-America selection while at Illinois Central College prior to his arrival to Louisville.

In the first day of the draft on Tuesday, fellow outfielder Mark Jurich was nabbed by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round.

All high school seniors, junior college players, college juniors and seniors, and those over 21 years of age are eligible to be picked.

Last season, Cardinal junior shortstop Adam Haley was tabbed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 13th round and went on to sign a pro contract.


Career statistics for: Josh Bolen
Year       AVG  GP-GS    AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR RBI  BB  SO  SB-ATT
2002....  .300  57-57   213  48  64  16   2   9  38  33  57   8-112003....  .364  57-57   236  61  86  16   4   8  54  22  43  11-12TOTALS..  .334 114-114  449 109 150  32   6  17  92  55 100  19-23

University of Louisville Athletics

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