Ex-St. Francis Star Selected By Chicago White Sox in MLB Draft

USC senior and former St. Francis star Joe De Pinto was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.

De Pinto, who was taken 651st overall, hit .300 for the Trojans this year with 11 doubles and two triples. He was one of three players to start all 56 games for USC and he led the club in stolen bases with nine. De Pinto earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors after hitting .286 with two home runs and 23 RBIs during the 2010 season.

De Pinto was a four-year varsity letterman at St. Francis. According to his player bio on USC's official athletic site, he earned All-CIF Division III and Rivals.com all-state middle school honors during his final year with the Golden Knights when he batted .476 with five home runs, 27 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The previous year De Pinto was on the All-CIF Division II second team and All-Mission League first team in leading St. Francis to the Division II title game.