Angels select ex-Cougar Giardina

Posted Jun 8, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 8, 2010 at 04:50 PM

Carmine Giardina’s professional career will begin in the minor league system of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels selected the former Durant High standout in the 15th round (474th overall) of Tuesday’s MLB draft, and Giardina, who recently completed his final collegiate season at the University of Tampa, made no secret last week that he would sign with the club that called his name this year.

This is Giardina’s third time being drafted, and it represents the highest he’s gone in the draft. He was a 28th round pick by Boston as a high school senior, and he was selected in the 22nd round by Pittsburgh last year.

Giardina had a solid 2010 season for Tampa, going 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA over 49 innings pitched (18 appearances; eight starts).