Andres Esquibel drafted by Seattle Mariners

This from the KU news release:

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior Andres Esquibel has been selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Esquibel is the fourth Jayhawk to go in this year’s draft, joining teammate Nick Czyz (35^th round) in Seattle’s organization. Left-handed pitcher Sam Freeman (32^nd round) was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals and outfielder Ryne Price (33^rd round) was taken by the San Francisco Giants.

Esquibel, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher from Vista, Calif., was a key pitcher for the Jayhawks this season. He transferred to KU following one season at Palomar (Calif.) Community College, went 10-7 in his Kansas career, including 7-3 in 2007. He posted a 5.17 ERA with 139 hits allowed in 141 innings. Opponents batted just .258 against the 6-foot-2 right-hander.

Esquibel was utilized as a set-up man in 2007, but was forced into the starting rotation this season due to injuries. He allowed one hit in eight innings of work against Texas Tech on April 12, becoming the first Kansas pitcher to one-hit a conference opponent in nearly 20 years.

Prior to his 2006 campaign at Palomar Junior College, Esquibel began his KU career at San Diego State.

Here is bkmhoxx's take on Esquibel:

Andres Esquibel RHP (6'2, 220 lbs)
Esquibel is a senior that has quite a bit of upside. His fastball sits at 88-91. He currently has only an average off speed pitch and an average slider. Esquibel pounds the strike zone and if he can develop a plus pitch or secondary pitch, he could prove to be very effective. My guess would be 20th round on the high side, 35th round on the low side.

CURRENT TAKE: Esquibel had a few bad outings this year that ruined his numbers. He had a 5.65 ERA in 73.1 innings, giving up 72 hits, 27 walks and striking out 45. He is a true "pitcher" that has good control and keeps the ball down. He doesnt have electric stuff but he does a good job on the mound. With 3 average pitches and good command, he will more than likely take his game to the next level. My preseason prediction was rounds 20-35. I would look for Esquibel to go off the board somewhere between those rounds. My guess would be more towards the 30-35 range.

Andres was a surprise team leader in 2008.  Over the last two years I have really warmed to him quit ea bit as a Jayhawk baseball fan.  About half way through this season I started to look to Esquibel as a pillar of stability on the team, not just a swingman on a hot streak.  Esquibel developed into a real workhorse of a pitcher, willing to assume whatever role best suited the team.  He was able to add to his fastball and seems to have also improved quite a bit in terms of inducing groundballs out of hitters as opposed to fly balls.  Andres is plenty big enough to assume a professional workload.  Perhaps if he added a bit more movement on the fastball, or made his offerings a bit more "heavy" and he might prove to have what it takes to stick around for a while.  Andres has exhausted his college eligibility, leaving KU one of the more popular players on the team.