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Giants draft USF’s David Villar, Rockies take Coco Montes

The junior led the Bulls in six major offensive categories this past season
 
Gainesville, FL  University of Florida's starting pitcher Alex Faedo delivers a pitch to University of South Florida batter David Villar during the NCAA Regional at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, FL on June 3, 2017 (Photo by Travis Pendergrass/USF)
Gainesville, FL University of Florida's starting pitcher Alex Faedo delivers a pitch to University of South Florida batter David Villar during the NCAA Regional at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, FL on June 3, 2017 (Photo by Travis Pendergrass/USF)
Published June 6, 2018|Updated June 6, 2018

Junior 3B David Villar, USF's top hitter this past season, became the first Bulls everyday player to be selected in the 2018 major league draft when the Giants chose him Wednesday in the 11th round.

Villar was the 316th overall pick and the second to be chosen on Wednesday, which began with the 11th round.

Four rounds later, the Rockies took Bulls junior SS Coco Montes with the 456th overall pick.

A first-team All-American Athletic Conference pick, Villar led the Bulls — and ranked second in the AAC — in batting average (.374). He also led USF in slugging percentage (.648), hits (82), runs (53), RBI (59) and doubles (24), and ranked second in home runs (12).

On Tuesday, he was named a third-team All-American by College Sports Madness. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper also named him a third-team All-American.

Montes, who converted from second base this season, hit .331 with 23 doubles, four home runs and 40 RBI. He put together a 20-game hit streak that ended in the season finale, a 6-1 loss to Oklahoma State in Sunday's elimination round of the NCAA regional in DeLand.

USF draft choices
LHP Shane McClanahan, Rays, 1st (compensatory), 31st overall
LHP   Andrew Perez, White Sox, 8th, 228th overall
3B David Villar, Giants, 11th, 316th overall
SS Coco Montes, Rockies, 15th, 456th overall