Baseball draft updates

Posted Jun 15, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 15, 2010 at 11:38 AM

It’s been less than a week since the 2010 Major League Baseball draft ended, but a few players with local ties have already signed professional contracts.

Armwood product Jared Simon, a sixth round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies out of the University of Tampa, said Tuesday morning that he has signed. Simon reported yesterday to Pasco, Wash., home of the Tri-City Dust Devils, Colorado’s short season Class A affiliate in the Northwest League where he will begin his pro career.

“It feels real good,” Simon said. “I’m real excited and ready to get started.”

Chamberlain product Austin Evans, who played this past season at the University of Tampa after playing his first two collegiate seasons at Alabama, signed with the White Sox on Friday. A right-handed pitcher, Evans was a 23rd round selection by Chicago.

Durant product Carmine Giardina signed over the weekend with the Los Angeles Angels, which selected him in the 15th round. The left-handed pitcher, who spend the past two seasons at Tampa, will begin his pro career with the Pioneer League’s Orem Owlz.

Jesuit product Stephen Hunt, an outfielder at USF who was selected in the 15th round by Cincinnati, has signed with the Reds. Hunt had one of USF’s biggest bats this past season, hitting .307 with seven homers and 44 RBIs.

Sickles product Robbie Anston, who recently wrapped up his collegiate career at Boston College and was a 26th round selection by Seattle, was one of 17 Mariners draft picks to recently sign.

And, Jesuit pitcher Daniel Gibson, a 26th round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers, said Tuesday that he will enroll in summer classes at Florida next week. Gibson, who signed with the Gators in November, said he still is leaving the option open to sign with Milwaukee even though he will head to Gainesville for classes. He said he has no timetable to make a decision (he won’t work out with the Gators, thus leaving the option open to sign) and could let the process drag out, if necessary, until the Aug. 16 deadline for draft selections to sign.