June 7, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina senior outfielder Michael Campbell has been selected in the 20th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. Campbell was the 603rd overall pick selected by the San Diego Padres. Junior LHP Forrest Beverly was also drafted in the 23rd round by the Washington Nationals as the 691st overall pick. Three South Carolina players have been picked in this year’s draft with Andrew Cruse a 9th round selection by the Phillies.

Campbell was the University of South Carolina 2005-06 Co-Male Athlete of the Year, announced on Monday, April 24 at the 2005-06 All Sports Banquet. Campbell earned the honors with football wide receiver Sidney Rice.

He is likely out for the season with a broken right hand of the fourth metacarpal. Campbell would have to leave after the first inning of the second game of the Vanderbilt series after being hit by a pitch in the top of the first. It was his 255th in a Gamecock uniform, a school record, as well as his 234th consecutive start in the outfield. He finished four hits shy of the school record of hits and has 299 in his four-year career. Campbell was a first team All-SEC selection in the outfield.

Campbell finished the conference games as the SEC leader in hitting with a .409 average (47-for-115). Campbell this season batted .364 with four HR and 49 RBI along with a team-high 76 hits. Campbell also set a school career record for at-bats, passing Mac White (1991-94) and now in first place with a total of 945.

In addition, his assist from the outfield in a win over Clemson set a new Carolina school record for assists by an outfielder. He has three on the season and 22 in his career. The previous record was 20 held by Paul Hollins (1978-81).