Fontanez, Barbosa remain Bulls

Posted Jun 23, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jun 23, 2010 at 01:49 PM

More than two weeks have passed since USF starting pitchers Randy Fontanez and Andrew Barbosa were taken in the MLB draft.

Fontanez was taken by the Reds in the 23rd round, and the Giants selected Barbosa in the 15th round.

So far, neither player has come close to signing.

“I talked to both of them last night,’’ USF baseball coach Lelo Prado said today. “Both of them are still coming back. The money is just not there to give up their senior year for it.’‘

That could change, of course, if either team ups it offer significantly. The players have until Aug. 15 to sign or return to school for their senior seasons.

Prado also talked to the players’ families to discuss their view of the situation.

“As of last night, I felt good about it,’’ Prado said. “It’s a great sign. If I’ve got both of those guys back, we’ll have a strong pitching staff.’‘

Fort Myers OF Kyle Waldrop, a USF signee drafted in the 12th round by the Reds, continues to negotiate with Cincinnati but the two sides remain apart from what Prado has heard.