LSU’s Chinea, UL Signee Sensley Drafted on Final Day

All 40 rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft have been completed and two prominent names were among those who had their names called Wednesday.

LSU's Chris Chinea, who leads the Tigers in hits, homers and RBI, was taken n the 17th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.  He is expected to come to terms.

And, LSU-Eunice slugger Steven Sensley was taken by Tampa Bay in the 38th round of the draft after slipping because of his perceived signability..

Chinea has been playing first base for the Tigers but was drafted as a catcher.  He is hitting .355 with 11 homers and 58 RBI.  He joins Alex Bregman, Andrew Stevenson and Mark Laird as junior draftees who are expected to sign pro contracts.  If that happens, only outfielder Jake Fraley will be returning from the Tigers' regular lineup.  LSU's pitching staff, however, will return intact with exception of LHP Zac Person, a senior who was drafted Tuesday.

Sensley, meanwhile, is a key component in the Louisiana recruiting class after hitting .374 with 21 homers, 80 RBI and 13 stolen bases in leading LSU-E to the NJCAA Division II National Championship.  Sensley was said to be asking for a pretty hefty signing bonus, which is why he may have lasted as long as he did.  Tampa has a month to try to negotiate him to a dollar figure they are willing to pay.

No current Cajuns' players, aside from SS Blake Trahan, were drafted, and no other signees went in the draft as well.  RHP Nick Lee (South Beauregard HS), LHP Hogan Harris (St.Thomas More HS) and C Ryne Ray (Evangel HS/Shreveport( were all considered to be drafted high enough to possibly sign, all went undrafted, indicating their bonus demands were not met.  All three are expected to be at UL