Braves draft Cape Legion outfielder in 42nd round

Wednesday's final day of Major League Baseball's 50-round amateur draft featured a pair of selections with local ties.

Outfielder Cody Livesay, a recent graduate of Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School who is in his first year with the Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons American Legion team, was taken by the Atlanta Braves in the 42nd round.

Infielder Jeremy Patton, a South Pemiscot High School graduate who played for the Plaza Tire Capahas in 2009, went in the 38th round to the St. Louis Cardinals. Patton recently concluded his collegiate career at Florida International.

Three more Ohio Valley Conference players were drafted Wednesday, making it seven selections from the league after the OVC had a conference-record 13 players drafted last year.

Austin Peay's Jeremy Dobbs, the OVC pitcher of the year, was taken in the 33rd round by the Seattle Mariners.

Tennessee-Martin infielder Trey Karlen went in the 33rd round to the Washington Nationals and Austin Peay pitcher Ryne Harper went in the 37th round to the Braves.

This year's highest OVC draft pick was Southeast Missouri State pitcher Logan Mahon, taken Tuesday in the 22nd round by the Colorado Rockies.