Baseball: Toronto Bluejays draft NZer

Aucklander Scott Campbell has become the first New Zealander be drafted by a major league baseball team when he was plucked out of the pool in the 10th round by the Toronto Bluejays this morning.

Campbell, 21, a second baseman, has been studying at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington state, for the last three years.

Campbell, who followed the draft on the internet from his Auckland home this morning, said it was a pretty exciting time for him.

"When I saw my name pop up, I jumped out of my chair and there were a few fist pumps," he said.

However, being picked in the draft was just the first step towards becoming a professional baseballer in the major league.

He expected to head to the United States soon to begin negotiations with Toronto.

" Hopefully, I will get a deal I will feel comfortable with.

"The positive point is I have another year of school left and if I don't get the deal I want, I can go back to school for my senior year."

There was no guarantee he would play in the major league or even soon at that.

"It could be two or three years before I make the big time and ... I could be traded."

He did not know what team management had in mind for him.

However, having been picked on the first of the two-day draft in the 10th of 50 rounds was an indication Toronto thought he could be a good player.

"There are fifty rounds -- 30 players in each round," he said.

"I was the 300th pick in the 10th round and that shows they think I can be a good player for their organisation."

- NZPA