University of Miami's Chris Perez, who played for Staunton in 2004, was the top former Valley Leaguer to be picked in the draft. (Photo courtesy University of Miami)

Major League Baseball teams selected 58 former and current Valley Baseball League players during the 2006 amateur draft held on Tuesday and Wednesday.  In addition, three players signed contracts prior to the draft.

Headlining the 2006 VBL draft class was Chris Perez of the University of Miami.  The 2004 Staunton Brave was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the supplemental first round.  In fact, St. Louis picked three of the first four Valley Leaguers to be drafted, including Jon Jay out of Miami in the second round and Tyler Norrick (Southern Illinois) in the sixth.  Jay was also a Staunton Brave while Norrick played for the Harrisonburg Turks, as did the third VBL pick, Scott Cousins (San Francisco) who was chosen by the Florida Marlins.

National League teams selected 37 VBL players, led by the Reds with five.  The Cardinals and New York Mets followed with four each.  Twenty-one players were chosen by American League teams with the Toronto Blue Jays taking four and the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners picking three apiece.

Staunton and Luray led the way with eight players each selected in the draft.  Covington, Front Royal, and New Market were right behind with seven.

Valley League Selections in 2006 MLB Draft

Name, College, Round (VBL team and year) MLB Team

Chris Perez, Miami, Supplemental first round (Staunton 2004) Cardinals
Jon Jay, Miami, second round (Staunton, 2004) Cardinals
Scott Cousins, San Francisco, third round (Harrisonburg, 2005) Marlins
Tyler Norrick, Southern Illinois, sixth round (Harrisonburg), Cardinals
Tim Norton, UConn, seventh round (New Market) Yankees
Will Harris, LSU, ninth round (Staunton) Rockies
Bridger Hunt, Central Missouri State, ninth round, (Staunton) Dodgers
John Raynor, UNC Wilmington, ninth round (New Market) Marlins
Brian Bocock, Stetson, ninth round (Luray) Giants
Sam Walls, N.C. State, 10^th round (Covington) Phillies
Kelly Edmundson, Tennessee, 11th round (Woodstock) Indians
Stephen Faris, Clemson, 12^th round (New Market) Padres
David Carpenter, West Virginia, 12^th round (Covington) Cardinals
Kevin Gunter, ODU, 13^th round (Covington) Reds
Matt Camp, N.C. State, 13^th round (Covington) Cubs
Danny Murphy, Jacksonville, 13^th round (Luray) Mets
Jeff Kindel, Ga. Tech, 14^th round (Covington) Rockies
Mike Ballard, Virginia, 14^th round (Staunton) Rangers
Matt Oxendine, North Florida, 15^th round (Front Royal) Diamondbacks
Chase Lirette, South Florida, 16^th round (Woodstock) Blue Jays
Patrick Nichols, ODU, 16^th round (Front Royal) Nationals
Tobi Stoner, Davis & Elkins, 16^th round (Front Royal) Mets
Nathan Nery, Stetson, 18^th round (Luray) Orioles
Mike Wagner, Washington State, 18^th round, (Winchester) Rangers
Kyle Walters, Bucknell, 18th round, (Winchester) Blue Jays
Derrik Lutz, George Washington, 19^th round (Front Royal) Reds
Sean Jarrett, Oral Roberts, 20th round (Harrisonburg) Rockies
Eddy Rodriguez, Miami, 20^th round (Luray), Reds
Enrique Garcia, Potomac State, 20^th round (Winchester) Diamondbacks
Michael Campbell, South Carolina, 20^th round (Winchester) Padres
Brad Mills, Arizona, 22^nd round (Harrisonburg) Blue Jays
Brian Aragon, N.C. State, 22^nd round (Luray) Yankees
Aubrey Miller, Arkansas Tech, 23rd round (Waynesboro) Orioles
Adam Calderone, Florida Southern, 23^rd round (Woodstock) Blue Jays
Scott Massey, Southern Miss, 24th round (Waynesboro) Pirates
Brian Baisley, South Florida, 24^th round (Staunton) Yankees
Joseph Hunter, Mississippi State, 25th round (Woodstock) White Sox
Michael Cooper, California, 26^th round (Harrisonburg) Cubs
Brett Logan, Hosuton, 26^th round (Woodstock), Nationals
Ryne Reynoso, Boston College, 26^th round (Waynesboro) Braves
Tim Haines, UT-Pan American, 27^th round (Staunton), Mets
Brantley New, Mercer, 27^th round, (Staunton), Red Sox
Greg Nesbitt, JMU, 29^th round (Harrisonburg) Mariners
Lee Tabor, Francis Marion, 30th round (New Market 2005) Reds
Zach Baldwin, W.Va. St., 31^st round (Front Royal) Nationals
Jon Kirby, Lee, 31^st round (Luray) Padres
Joe Agreste, Potomac State, 32nd round (Winchester) Mariners
Chris Siewert, Tennessee, 33rd round (New Market) Giants
Stan Posluszny, West Virginia 34^th round (Luray) Mariners
Nick Wandless, USC-Aiken, 36^th round (Front Royal), Reds
Edgar Ramirez, LSU, 36^th round (Waynesboro) Mets
Alex Fonseca, Florida Atlantic, 36^th round (New Market) Angels
Dana Arrowood, ODU, 38^th round (Front Royal) Tigers
Brian McCullen, Western Carolina, 38th round (Front Royal 2002) Pirates
Tom Hagan, Virginia, 39^th round (Covington) Pirates
Chris Dennis, Auburn, 40^th round (Winchester). Rangers
Michael Cowgill, 40^th round (Covington) Twins
Michael Solbach, Liberty, 48^th round (Luray) Diamondbacks

Fifth-Year Seniors who signed before the draft
Quinn Stewart, LSU, (Staunton, 2004) Devil Rays
Rowdy Hardy, Austin Peay (Staunton, 2004) Royals
Tim Gudex, Iowa (Harrisonburg), Cubs