HS BASEBALL: Buckel reacts to being picked by Rangers

Royal of Simi Valley baseball standout Cody Buckel obviously made a good impression with the Texas Rangers scouts, even though he didn't pitch for them at a recent pre-draft workout at Gahr High in Cerritos.

Buckel, a 6-foot, 170-pound pitcher, attended the workout in a suit and tie, but his personality and desire to compete -- along with his 12-1 record, 0.61 ERA, eight complete games and 123 strikeouts in 80 innings -- were enough for the Rangers to take Buckel in the second round Tuesday with the 72nd pick in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

"It's definitely a big surprise (being drafted so high)," Buckel said. "It took my breath away."

Buckel had already committed to Pepperdine, but could be passing up the opportunity to remain close to home in Malibu to begin his minor league career.

"Right now we're in negotiations and it's looking positive," said Buckel, who is being advised by Cleveland of Reseda graduate and former major league pitcher Bret Saberhagen.

"I want to start my professional career soon. It's always a goal to get to the major leagues as fast as you can."