Published: June 09, 2007 12:01 am      

Ex-Somerset star drafted by Marlins

A doctorate in physical therapy will have to wait for Somerset’s Bryan Hagerich.

The Florida Marlins selected the University of Delaware left fielder and former AAABA League star with their 26th pick and the 796th overall selection Friday during Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft.

“It’s an exciting feeling,” Hagerich said. “All the hard work has paid off. It’s a dream you have ever since you’re young.”

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder who possesses outstanding speed and power, said he expected to be chosen sometime during this week’s draft, and was surfing the Internet Friday for any word.

Then came a phone call.

“I talked to a lot of different teams and I had high expectations to go this year,” he said. “I’m just glad the Marlins gave me a chance.”

Hagerich intended on going to Philadelphia’s Widener University in September to work toward a doctorate degree after majoring in exercise physiology at Delaware, but said those plans are “on hold.”

He envisions the Marlins shipping him to Jamestown, N.Y., to play in the short-season New York-Penn League for the Jammers.

Hagerich played in the AAABA League for Delweld, which lost to Youse’s Maryland Orioles of Baltimore in the tournament’s championship game in 2003. Hagerich was named to the All-AAABA League Team following that season.

A 2003 graduate of Somerset Area High School, Hagerich earned four letters in baseball. The Golden Eagles claimed two Laurel Highland conference titles and were runners-up once while Hagerich roamed the outfield. During his senior season, he hit .472 with four home runs and 20 RBIs.

Three other Delaware players were drafted this week along with Hagerich, including Brandon Menchaca (Cincinnati), Billy Harris (Philadelphia) and Chad Kerfoot (Oakland).

“When we first saw him, we realized he obviously had all the physical tools to succeed,” said Somerset American Legion manager Bob Hay. “He’s always been a guy that has been able to do everything.

“We kind of followed him at Delaware. He was first team all-conference as a senior and their team’s player of the year this year.”

Somerset’s Jimmy Mayer was drafted last year by the Tampa Bay organization.

“This is the second straight year we’ve had someone from here drafted,” Hay said.

Hagerich played four straight years in left field for the Division I Blue Hens. He batted .328 with 16 home runs and 50 RBIs during his senior season, and supplied three hits in Delaware’s loss to Virginia Commonwealth University in the Colonial Athletic Association title game in May.

“I got more into the power game as I’ve matured,” said Hagerich, who is the son of Roy and Peggy Hagerich of Somerset. “I’m just excited to have a chance and couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and friends. It’s a chance to live the dream.”