It would be a tough to find someone who had a better day on Tuesday than Simi Valley senior catcher Bryan Anderson.

After being voted all-league first team by the Marmonte League baseball coaches, Anderson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round (No. 140 overall) of the Major League Baseball Draft.

“It was awesome,” Anderson said of being drafted. “Me and the family are real happy right now.” Anderson’s parents were both born in St. Louis, and the Cardinals remain their favorite team, making what happened Tuesday that much sweeter for the entire family.

“I have a grandpa and grandma who still live out there,” he said.

“They are just so happy and really excited.” Following a 2004 season that saw Anderson help lead Simi to a CIF-Southern Section Division II championship, the 6-foot-1, 200pound Pioneer catcher posted a .414 batting average and stole 19 bases this year despite constantly being pitched around by opposing teams. Behind the plate, he threw out 16 of 17 opposing base stealers. Those on-field accomplishments led to a scholarship from the University of Arizona.

Head Coach Matt LaBelle says that all season long Anderson continually put the team’s success above his own.

“He is very unselfish,” LaBelle said. “He could have gone out and said, ‘I’m a top-draft guy’ and swung for the fences every time. Instead of that, he was very disciplined. People pitched him away all year, and he hit everything to the opposite field if it was there. He actually became a better hitter this year.” Anderson now must decide whether to attend Arizona or move directly into the Cardinals’ minor league system.

“I’m going to make a decision quick so I know what to do,” Anderson said. “Most likely I’ll end up going out there (to St.

Louis) and start to play.”