WESSON – Freshman centerfielder Arlandus Brown of Brookhaven andrecent signee Cole Zumbro of Franklin County are two Copiah-LincolnCommunity College players who have been selected in baseball’sMajor League Draft. Brown was drafted Wednesday in the 22nd roundby the Montreal Expos and Zumbro, an incoming pitcher/firstbaseman, went in the 36th round to the Expos.

Centerfielder Fred Perkins of Brookhaven, a recent BHS graduate,who has signed a scholarship to play football and baseball withTulane University, was drafted in the 40th round by the Expos.

Another area player, southpaw pitcher Les Dykes of McCombParklane, was drafted in the 23rd round by the Los Angles Dodgers.Dykes already has signed a scholarship with Mississippi StateUniversity.

Players drafted in the lower rounds are considered “draft andfollow prospects.” In other words, the major league team retainsthe rights to the player until the next year’s draft.

“Arlandus is real excited about getting drafted,” said Co-Linbaseball coach Keith Case. “This should give him plenty ofmotivation for next year.”

As a freshman, Brown batted .299, with 13 doubles and 30 stolesbases. He had 3 triples, 1 home run and 20 RBIs.

“I think Arlandus is an ideal draft to follow,” said Montrealscout Dave Dangler. “He needs to gain more strength for hissophomore season. His speed and solid defense made him a draftprospect.”

Last year, Co-Lin shortstop Xavier “Nook” Logan was the firstMississippi player drafted, going in the third round to the DetroitTigers. Logan is playing for the Western Michigan Whitecaps, aDetroit minor league team, this year.

Regarding Zumbro, Dangler said, “Cole is a very big and strongkid. He’s a power hitter. The more he works the better he’ll get.His slider and fastball are very impressive.”

Zumbro (6-2, 190) batted .509 as a senior, hitting 13 home runs.His fastball has been clocked at 92 mph

Perkins (6-3, 215) batted .304 as a senior and hit 1 homer. Hewas selected to play in the Class 4A-5A All-Star Baseball Game. Astandout option quarterback/defensive back, he also was chosen toplay in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Football Classic, set forJune 16, in Mobile, Ala.

Dangler said Perkins has long-range potential. “He’s a veryathletic kid. He has great potential. He has power and speed.”