Lowry’s Career Takes Giant Step

There’s no ignoring Noah Lowry now.

Overlooked while growing up in remote Ojai, overlooked at Ventura College, the Pepperdine left-hander looms large for the San Francisco Giants, who made him a first-round pick in the baseball amateur draft Tuesday.

Lowry elevated his status by becoming the Waves’ ace. He was 14-2 with a 1.71 earned-run average and had 142 strikeouts in 121 innings.

“My confidence grew this year,” he said. “I can throw my curveball and change-up on any count. That helped me a lot.”

Lowry, whose advisor is Jim McDowell of Sherman Oaks, was surprised the Giants picked him.

“I didn’t talk to the Giants all year,” he said. “But I’m glad. It’s a good organization and some of their minor league teams are in California.”

Pepperdine, 42-18 this season, had seven players drafted in the first 16 rounds, including outfielder-first baseman Woody Cliffords of El Camino Real High, who went to the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round.

Pitcher Dan Haren went in the second round to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pepperdine had four recruits drafted in the first eight rounds.

The Oakland A’s drafted two area players from Cal State Northridge. Shortstop J.T. Stotts (Hart High) was taken in the third round and right-handed pitcher Mike Frick (Buena) went in the eighth.

Stotts, a slick fielder, bulked up 25 pounds to 185 in his three years as a Matador and displayed power this season. He credits Coach Mike Batesole for his development.

“When I met Batesole, I knew he was the kind of guy I wanted to play for,” Stotts said. “He built me into the player I am today. He makes you work hard every day.”

Stotts was not surprised to be chosen by the A’s. Area scout Rick Magnante has shown interest in him since high school.

“He was after me in high school a little bit,” Stotts said. “When I was a little runt.”

Stotts and Frick, who both indicated they will sign, likely will be assigned to the same minor league team.

“We’re friends,” Stotts said. “I think it’s pretty cool.”

Matt Harrington, who reentered the draft after failing to come to terms with the Colorado Rockies, was taken in the second round by the San Diego Padres. Harrington, from Palmdale High, was the seventh overall pick last year.

“We’re real happy,” said Tommy Tanzer, Harrington’s agent. “This will be a good situation for Matt.”

The first high school player from the region chosen was Chris Seddon, a left-handed pitcher from Canyon who went to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the fifth round.

Seddon was taking a test and learned he was drafted from an announcement over the school’s public address system.

“It’s phenomenal to be thought of in that high a regard,” said John Seddon, Chris’ father. Seddon has signed with Loyola Marymount.

Seddon, who threw 90 mph early in the season before tailing off slightly, said Canyon Coach Adam Schulhofer is responsible for his progress. Seddon began taking private lessons from Schulhofer in eighth grade.

Right-hander Tyler Adamczyk of Westlake, who has signed with California, was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round.

Mike Nickeas, Adamczyk’s battery-mate at Westlake, was not drafted--possibly because teams believe he is intent on attending Georgia Tech.

Two college infielders from Camarillo High were drafted. Third baseman Jay Caliguiri of Cal State L.A. went to the New York Mets in the 13th round and shortstop Jeff Bannon of UC Santa Barbara was chosen by the Cincinnati Reds in the 18th round.

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Charting the Draft

Area players selected Tuesday in the major league amateur draft:

Name: Noah Lowry

School: Nordhoff High-Pepperdine

Pos.: LHP

RND: 1st

No.: 30th

Team: San Francisco Giants

*

Name: Matt Harrington

School: Palmdale High

Pos.: RHP

RND: 2nd

No.: 58th

Team: San Diego Padres

*

Name: Dan Haren

School: Pepperdine

Pos.: RHP

RND: 2nd

No.: 72nd

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

*

Name: J.T. Stotts

School: Hart High-CS Northridge

Pos.: SS

RND: 3rd

No.: 101st

Team: Oakland Athletics

*

Name: Chris Seddon

School: Canyon High

Pos.: LHP

RND: 5th

No.: 139th

Team: Tampa Bay Devils

*

Name: Danny Garcia

School: Pepperdine

Pos.: 2B

RND: 5th

No.: 162nd

Team: New York Mets

*

Name: Tyler Adamczyk

School: Westlake High

Pos.: RHP

RND: 7th

No.: 225th

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

*

Name: Mike Frick

School: Buena High-CS Northridge

Pos.: RHP

RND: 8th

No.: 252nd

Team: Oakland Athletics

*

Name: Woody Cliffords

School: El Camino Real High-Pepperdine

Pos.: OF

RND: 10th

No.: 294th

Team: Baltimore Orioles

*

Name: Jared Pitney

School: Pepperdine

Pos.: 1B

RND: 10th

No.: 306th

Team: New York Yankees

*

Name: Wes Hutchison

School: Burroughs High-Lewis & Clark

Pos.: RHP

RND: 10th

No.: 319th

Team: San Francisco Giants

*

Name: Tony Garcia

School: Pepperdine

Pos.: SS

RND: 13th

No.: 378th

Team: Chicago Cubs

*

Name: Jay Caliguiri

School: Camarillo High-Cal State L.A.

Pos.: 3B

RND: 13th

No.: 402nd

Team: New York Mets

*

Name: Rock Mills

School: Pepperdine

Pos.: C

RND: 16th

No.: 482nd

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

*

Name: Jeff Bannon

School: Camarillo High-UC Santa Barbara

Pos.: SS

RND: 18th

No.: 546th

Team: Cincinnati Reds

*

Name: Peter Gunny

School: Pierce College

Pos.: OF

RND: 20th

No.: 596th

Team: Kansas City Royals