Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 10:59 a.m.
It didn't take long for a local player to be selected on day two of the Major League Baseball amateur draft.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected UNLV junior right-hander Mike Zipser with Wednesday's very first pick, the first in round 26 and No. 764 overall.
"They called me yesterday and said they were interested, so it was a long night," Zipser, a Cimarron-Memorial graduate, said.
Zipser battled a recurring rib injury to post a 5-5 record and a 6.49 ERA for the Rebels this spring. Coming into the season, he was projected as the club's No. 1 pitcher.
After Zipser, seven other players with local ties were taken over the final 25 rounds of the draft, bringing the area's two-day total to 14.
The Minnesota Twins made UNLV junior right-hander Bryan Gidge their 33rd-round pick, grabbing him with No. 979 overall. Like Zipser, Gidge battled injuries this spring, going 2-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six appearances.
Green Valley first baseman David Jensen's long wait for a phone call ended in round 38, when the Cincinnati Reds took him. A member of back-to-back Gators state title teams, Jensen is projected as an outfielder at the next level.
Cheyenne graduate Jake Laidlaw, who spent the past season at Arizona Western Junior College, went to the Montreal Expos in the 40th round. In last year's draft, the Expos selected Laidlaw in the 43rd round.
Chaparral outfielder Nick Hobbs became the sixth current area prep star selected this year when the Seattle Mariners took him in round 41, and Basic right-hander Eric Wise was plucked by the Atlanta Braves moments later in round 42.
The New York Mets wrapped up their draft by taking a pair of former area grads -- Riverside Community College outfielder Christopher Taylor (Green Valley '97) in round 48 and Taft College left-hander Aaron Hee (Eldorado '97) in round 50.
On Tuesday, six local players were selected in the first 12 rounds: Green Valley right-hander Mike Nannini (Astros, 37th pick), Bishop Gorman outfielder/ pitcher Jason Van Meetren (Astros, fourth round), UNLV third baseman Kevin Eberwein (Padres, fifth round), Green Valley right-hander Joe Orloski (Blue Jays, sixth round), UNLV catcher Sean Campbell (Padres, ninth round) and Chaparral catcher Russell Cleveland (Tigers, 12th round).
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