First, he heard his name on the radio. Then the phone rang. Or was it the other way around? Either way, Nate Zettler was surprised when the Kansas City Royals took him in the 20th round of the amateur draft Tuesday.

        “We were pretty excited,” he said. “(Scouts) told me I would go somewhere in the draft, but we didn't know where.”

        Now the former Badin pitcher who recently graduated from Union College in Barbourville, Ky., knows he's going to Spokane, Wash., after he signs today. Zettler will join the Royals' short-season Single-A team there for its first game June18.

        Zettler finished his senior season at Union with a 10-2 record and a 3.85 earned run average in 79 innings with 80 strikeouts.

        Royals scout Jon Weil discovered Zettler at an away game in Johnson City, Tenn., purely by accident. Weil attended the game to scout another player when a coach recommended Zettler, who was pitching that day.

        Weil said Zettler's “above-average” slider and fastball in the 90s impressed the Royals.

        Three other area players were selected Wednesday. Anderson's Jensen Lewis went in the 33rd round to the Cleveland Indians, and Shawn Aichele of Western Hills was selected by the Reds in the 37th round. The St.Louis Cardinals took Joey Vandever, an Oak Hills graduate, in the 43rd round.

        Lewis has a scholarship to attend Vanderbilt and will have to choose between a minor-league career now or later.

        “We're going to take some time and let it sink in,” Lewis said. “If the package (from the Indians) is right, we'll go that route. It feels great to be drafted by anybody, but by the Indians is fantastic.”

Griffey's luck none at all Rainout rescheduled for Aug. 27 Reds Notebook: Silva returns from DL Rijo accepts bullpen role More local players drafted List of Reds Draft Picks Diamondbacks 5, Astros 4 Angels 7, Rangers 5 Mariners 5, Athletics 0

McElroy needs to score at draft camp
Huggins lunches with Nuggets GM
Golf Course Spotlight: Otter Creek
Lakers 99, Nets 94
O'Neal proves mountainous obstacle
Nets' slow start costly
Carolina's Irbe stands up to Stanley Cup pressure
Next for U.S. team: South Korea
U.S. - Portugal photo gallery
Sollmann sets NCAA baseball records
OSU's Sylvester breaks hand
UK search for AD hits full speed
Longest day for War Emblem
Coming up this week
DAUGHERTY: Madeira baseball star overcomes tragic crash
Madeira wakes up to possibilities
Sycamore, Hamilton hope for state softball showdown
Ex-Red Bair helping Milford
Ohio Softball Tourney Schedule
Ohio Baseball Tourney Schedule
Ohio Track Championships Schedule
Norwood hires Highlands coach
CovCath resumes with 3-0 lead
N.Ky. football all-star game tonight

• Return to Reds front page...