Barbosa, Fontanez remain unsigned; Hunt inks deal with Reds

Posted Jun 14, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jun 14, 2010 at 10:40 PM

No news is good news for USF baseball coach Lelo Prado.

Prado knows the Bulls’ prospects for next season rest heavily on the arms of starting pitchers Randy Fontanez and Andrew Barbosa.

As of Monday evening, neither Fontanez nor Barbosa appeared close to striking a deal to start their professional careers.

Barbosa was taken in the 15th round by the Giants and Fontanez in the 23rd round by the Reds in last week’s MLB draft.

“It’s been pretty quiet with those guys,’’ Prado said. “Of course, we’d love to have them back, but it’s just a matter of whether the teams make an offer close to what they want to hear. They both have a chance to get their degrees, too, so it’s a big decision either way.’‘

Fontanez (5-7, 3.59 ERA) and Barbosa (8-2, 2.40) combined for half of USF’s 26 wins last season and if they both return, the Bulls could have the best 1-2 punch of any rotation in the Big East next season.

Meanwhile, junior OF Stephen Hunt has signed with the Reds after being taken in the 15th round. Hunt led the Bulls with seven homers and 44 RBIs last season.

Drafted as a left-handed pitcher by the Reds, Prado said the former Jesuit standout will be missed in the lineup.

“We thought if he got drafted that high that he would probably sign,’’ Prado said. “He was a good player and had a nice season for us. We’ll miss his bat.’’

Junior C Eric Sim, a 27th-round pick, continues to work out terms with the Giants and will not be back.

As for the five incoming recruits who got drafted and remain unsigned, Fort Myers Riverdale OF Kyle Waldrop appears the most likely to sign. Waldrop was drafted in the 12th round by the Reds and has been negotiating.

“He told me a number he had in mind,’’ Prado said. “That number may be hard to get to at that position [in the draft], so we’ll see.’‘

As for Miami Monsignor Pace OF Ozney Guillen, his father, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, has been urging him to go to school and get an education after Ozney was drafted in the 22nd round by Chicago.

Guillen has signed with USF and could help replace the loss of OFs Ryan Lockwood and Hunt.