As expected former Gilbert High shortstop and USC singee Chris Owings has agreed to contract terms with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Owings was slected in the first round of the June MLB draft with the number 41 pick overall. He will sign his contract on Monday. It reportedly includes a 950,000 dollar signing bonus. He’ll start rookie ball next with with the team’s affilaite in Missoula, Montana.
ACC baseball tournament pulls out of S.C.
July 6, 2009 By
It looks like the ACC baseball tournament won’t be making a stop to the Palmetto State after all. Apparently the league has had a change of heart about holding the tournament in Myrtle Beach in 2011, 12 and 13.
After the ACC announced that it would hold the tournament in South Carolina the NAACP expressed concern because of its continued ban of athletic events in the Palmetto State because of its opposition to the Confederate flag flying on the State House grounds. There is no indication this is the reason why the league decided not to have the tournament in South Carolina but it does appear like it was at least a factor.
Paulsen turns down first offer
June 17, 2009 By
Clemson first baseman Ben Paulsen, the third round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, rejected the team’s first contract offer according to his father, Clemson assistant coach Tom Riginos. “It was way below slot,” Reginos said. “He’s enrolling in summer school and will work camp. He’s not afraid to come back to school.” Riginos said seniors Matt Sanders, Ryan Hinson and Clinton McKinney have signed their contacts, but at this time he expects second baseman Mike Freeman to return to school. The one signee of concern is pitcher Madison Younginer, the seventh round pick of the Red Sox. Riginos said Younginer will probably go thr the summer before making a decision.
USC’s Dalles agrees to terms with O’s
June 16, 2009 By
Justin Dalles
South Carolina catcher Justin Dalles has agreed to terms and will sign a contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Dalles was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft, the fourth time in Dalles’ career that he has been drafted.
Dalles is scheduled to report to the Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York-Penn League. He is the second Gamecock player to sign with a professional team. DeAngelo Mack signed a contract with the New York Yankees earlier
in the week.
Dalles earned second team All-SEC honors this past season hitting .324 (60-for-185) with 39 runs scored. He also hit 15 HR and finished with 47 RBI. He was also part of the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team after a tremendous weekend in Greenville, where he hit .589 (11-for-19) with three HR and 10 RBI.
DeAngelo Mack signs with Yankees
June 15, 2009 By
DeAngelo Mack
South Carolina outfielder DeAngelo Mack has agreed to terms and will sign a contract with the New York Yankees. A 13th round selection in last week’s MLB Draft, Mack earned second-team All-SEC honors this year at Carolina and led the Gamecocks in hitting with a .361 batting average (92-for-255) with 14 HR and 60 RBI as well. Mack will start his career with the Staten Island Yankees in the short-season New York-Penn League.
“It’s been a great ride at South Carolina,” said Mack. “Playing for Carolina was a dream come true and I enjoyed my four years with the program. It’s hard to leave. The fans have been great; I’ve played with a great group of teammates. Coach Tanner and the coaching staff have been excellent and I enjoyed my time. I’m proud to be a Gamecock.”
