UNLV’s Thornton eyes another shot in baseball draft

A decision that would play a major role in the course of his life faced Ryan Thornton three years ago. He had two choices, and one was very tempting.

He chose the other one, the course that led him to the UNLV baseball team, and he still feels he chose the right path.

"Sometimes I do think back," Thornton said. "I would be on my fourth year in the minors already."

When his name surfaced in the major league draft in 2006, as a 17th-round pick by Tampa Bay, Thornton was tempted to sign and start his pro career. He eventually turned down a $75,000 offer and committed his future to college.

It's a decision countless young players will consider this week -- go pro early or go to school -- when the draft is held today through Thursday. Thornton's situation is an example of what can be a complex thought process.

He was drafted purely on potential after his freshman year at American River Community College in Sacramento, Calif.

"I was naive in the game, and I was young," he said. "I didn't understand the draft. I didn't know people were getting drafted out of high school. I didn't know too much about the business aspect of it.

"I definitely put a lot of thought into it. But I didn't think I was ready. I hadn't been through any adversity."

Thornton, 6 feet 1 inch and 215 pounds, experienced a growth spurt at UNLV, where he was a part-time starter as a junior and flourished this season as a senior.

As a left fielder and designated hitter for the Rebels, Thornton batted .327 with 10 home runs, 42 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He tied for the team lead in homers, after hitting only one as a junior.

"At UNLV, I had to deal with failure and just learn the game," he said. "I've matured on and off the field, so I can honestly say I'm ready to go and I'm more prepared."

The baseball draft is a guessing game, especially for college seniors with little bargaining leverage, so Thornton is unsure what to expect. He hopes to get drafted but knows a signing bonus remotely similar to the one he turned down three years ago is unlikely.

The 50-round draft starts today with three rounds and 111 picks. The local player with the best shot to be called is Bishop Gorman High first baseman Jeff Malm.

The draft resumes with the fourth round Wednesday, and the pick marathon runs through Thursday night. When it's done, 15 to 20 Las Vegas-area players are expected to be selected.

Baseball America ranks Durango right-hander Danny Reynolds as one of the draft's top 200 prospects.

The top draftees from the College of Southern Nevada should be left-hander Egan Smith and outfielder Marvin Campbell, a freshman from Las Vegas High.

Potential draft picks from UNLV also include outfielder J.J. Sferra, infielders Jarred Frierson and Anthony Morel and pitchers Marc Baca, Corey Hales, Chad Nading and Jeff Urlaub.

"I feel there's a strong chance I'll get drafted," said Thornton, who recently heard from the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants. "I'm not going to predict anything. I would be happy to go anywhere before the 30th round."

Thornton, from Vallejo, Calif., was a basketball and football star in high school. He was recruited by San Diego and Texas Tech to play basketball, and Boise State offered him a football scholarship. He decided his pro future was more promising in baseball.

"Ryan is obviously tremendously talented," Rebels coach Buddy Gouldsmith said. "I thought he came a long way in a short amount of time. He has a better understanding of the game."

Thornton is two semesters short of earning his degree from UNLV, and regardless of the outcome of the draft, he plans to graduate in December 2010. That's another benefit of the choice he made to turn down Tampa Bay's offer three years ago.

"I'm just looking for an opportunity," he said. "Once I get my foot in the door, I know what to do with it."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.