Three 2010 Anglers Finally Go Pro
by Anglers Media Team
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
After the clock struck midnight on Monday August 15th, Major League Baseball's draft pick signing deadline had passed, and three members of the 2010 Chatham Anglers squad, all selected in the third round of this year's first year player draft, had signed professional contracts with their respective teams.
First off the board was first baseman/left fielder Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt). The redshirt Junior had one year of collegiate eligibility left, but had already earned his degree, and inked his contract with the Detroit Tigers in July for a $310,000 signing bonus. Shortly after making the deal, he was assigned to Detroit's Gulf Coast League affiliate, where he earned a promotion to the Connecticut Tigers of the New York-Penn League after just five games.
At the time of publication, Westlake is hitting .271 through 12 games with one home run and eight RBI. The 2010 CCBL All Star batted .292 with five home runs for the Anglers that season.
Fellow first baseman and two-time Angler Ricky Oropesa (USC) elected to forego his final two years of eligibility with the Trojans, signing with the San Francisco Giants for a $550,000 signing bonus, which is more than twice the recommended slot for a third round selection.
Oropesa, who hit seven home runs with 19 RBI for the Anglers in 2010, also represented the team in that year's CCBL home run derby, and was considered to be one of the best pure hitters in this year's draft class, along with Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon
Rounding out the Anglers' 2011 third round selections was Baylor RHP Logan Verrett (pictured), who signed with the New York Mets.
Also a two-time Angler, Verrett recorded an infinitesimal 0.87 ERA through six starts for Chatham in 2010, and was one of four Anglers chosen to represent the team that year in the CCBL All Star Game at Fenway.
Verrett's signing bonus was reported at $425,000.