June 8, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois catcher and Grande Prairie, Alberta, native Lars Davis was selected in the third round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies on June 7. It was exactly two years after former Illini catcher and Dorchester, Ontario, native Chris Robinson was taken in the third round of the 2005 Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Davis responded to questions about his experience at Illinois, following in Robinson's footsteps and his future with the Rockies.

How did you find out you were selected?
I had a third baseman on our team hold my phone and told him to answer it if the scout called, but he actually missed the call. So I found out from one of the pitchers on the team a little bit later. I tried to keep a level head because we had a game to play. But after the game, it all started to sink in.

Was it a surprise to be drafted by the Rockies?
It was a little bit of a surprise. I talked to the scout a couple of times prior to the draft. But it wasn't one of the teams I had talked to more. It was a little bit of a surprise, but at the same time it's still an honor to be drafted that high.

How did your teammates in Duluth react to it?
I got teased all night about it. Anytime we stopped to get something to eat, they'd joke that since I just got drafted I was paying for the whole thing. No pranks, but I'd expect a few pranks today. I'm sure that if I get a TV interview or something like that, I'll get shaving cream in the face. I kind of have to keep on my toes.

So you had a long trip after the game in Green Bay last night?
Right after the game we ate at the field and we stopped twice on the way home, then got home about 6 a.m., then back at the field today. This league can be kind of a grind, but it's worth it in the end.

What are your plans?
I'll be up here (playing for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League) until a final decision has been made. I signed a contract to play here this summer, obviously barring getting drafted. So until I'm signed (professionally), I'll be with the Huskies.

What have the last couple of weeks been like?
It's been a bit of a trip. This has been a great experience overall. I never thought at junior college that I'd have a chance to go to a DI school and then I never thought that I'd get drafted this high. Just great coaching at the University of Illinois and the summer coaches I had.

Do you know anyone in the Rockies system?
I grew up playing against a couple Canadians, like Jeff Francis, who are in the Rockies organization. I never played against him, but was on teams that played against him. I was on a traveling team that went through British Columbia. I didn't play, but I watched him pitch. So I've played against a few guys there.

How has your family reacted to the selection?
My family's just as excited as I am. They're loving every minute of it. My parents said they've had some phone calls from people they haven't heard from in 10-15 years.

How does it feel to tie the Illinois record for highest-drafted position player?
It feels really good. One of my goals going into the University of Illinois was to fill the shoes of Chris Robinson. I was 12 picks behind him, but I think I did pretty well there. I just set out to be compared to Chris Robinson and be in the same class as him, and I think that's something that I achieved with the help of the coaches and players at Illinois.

How were you able to improve from a 49th-round pick in 2003 to a third-round pick this year?
I feel that playing at Illinois was one of the big keys to making that jump. The coaches helped me immensely in my last two years. I couldn't have done it without Coach Hartleb, Coach Snider, Coach Westray and Coach Herbison. They have been a huge asset.

How have you improved at Illinois?
I feel that all-around I've improved, but the biggest thing is maturing as a player. Understanding the game a little bit more and maturing as a player are probably the biggest things.

What did the coaches help you with the most?
I think the thing they've helped me improve on the most is trusting in my ability. Coach Snider helped me a lot with hitting and just believing in my ability. Coach Hartleb helped me out defensively just trusting my ability.

How much did it help to catch every day at Illinois?
Coming into Illinois I caught about half-time at JC, so I didn't have a lot of games under my belt, and I hadn't caught pitchers who were the quality of our pitching staff. I came in a little scared and I think it showed up a little bit in my first year. Taking a leadership role with the staff this year was a big key in my success.

How were your experiences at Illinois?
I really think they've helped define me as a person. I wouldn't trade the experience I've had at Illinois for the world. The school, the people I've been around, the coaches, teammates. I've taken a little bit away from every experience and loved every minute of it.

What was the difference in fan base between Lethbridge and Illinois?
There was a contingent of about six regular fans in Lethbridge and that was about it. So that was a different experience coming to Illinois. I got to know some of the fans really well over the last few years and they've been very supportive. So I want to really thank them.

How much school do you have left?
I've got two semesters, 36 hours. Probably just a couple courses here and there, not too much of a full workload.

When you make your first million, what will be the first thing you donate back to Illinois?
First thing I'll donate back is a taller hitter's eye at Illinois Field. In the spring games there, the hitter's eye needs to be just a little taller to eliminate a bright spot. Once you get into the night games it's perfectly fine, but some of those spring games with overcast skies it can be a little bit of a challenge catching.

How were you able to become such a high draft pick?
Just working hard and the overall season I had helped a lot. I really don't know what was the key behind it, but just the season that I had and playing hard all the time.

What has your experience in Champaign been like?
It's just been a wonderful time. I can't stress enough how much I love the program and love the school. Champaign is a second home to me. I wouldn't trade any experience I had there and I can't think of a better place to be.