Round 44, Pick 1318: Joel Staples | 3B, St. Mary's College | SIGNED

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Signed.

Moraga, CA - Junior shortstop Joel Staples has agreed to terms with the Florida Marlins, who drafted him in the 44th round (1,381 overall) in Major League Baseball's June amateur draft. Staples will forgo his senior season and will report to Jupiter, Florida to play for the Gulf Coast Marlins, the rookie league affiliate of the Florida Marlins. After a slow start to the 2008 season, Staples went on a tear during West Coast Conference play, hitting .379 on his way to being named to the 2008 First Team All-WCC team. He collected 15 doubles, five triples, as well as being second on the team with 138 assists showing his range defensively. Staples had a breakout freshman season in which he stared 46 games hitting .279 on his way to being named to the WCC Freshman Team and the All-WCC Second Team. He followed up his freshman campaign with a strong sophomore season, starting 38 games that season before it was cut short due to injury. He still managed to lead the team with six homeruns and 35 RBI. Staples finishes his career at Saint Mary's with a .293 batting average, collecting 146 hits. His 12 triples ties him for second all-time and his 33 doubles is good enough for ninth all time. He also amassed 12 homeruns, 93 runs scored, 93 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases.

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