Everything seems to be falling into place for Bradin Hagens, a local product that finished his sophomore season at Merced College with the school’s first conference championship in 23 years.
What’s next?
It looks like the pros. Hagens, the 6-foot-1 right-hander who played at Pitman High and calls Denair his hometown, was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round (186th) during the second day of the MLB Draft on Wednesday, following former Turlock High and Fresno State star Tom Mendonca being selected by the Texas Rangers in the second round the day before.
Hagens, however, has a big decision to make. He can either sign with the Diamondbacks — as long as there’s a decent signing bonus, he said — or continue his college career at Oklahoma State, a school he committed to. But he’s leaning toward one of the choices.
“I want to play pro ball,” said Hagens, who can throw a fastball up to 94 mph along with a hard-sinker.
He’s coming off a stellar season. He went 9-1 with a 3.77 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 88.1 innings as the staff ace for the Blue Devils. The numbers helped him become attractive to pro scouts.
In 2008, he was the 1,105th pick in the 37th round by the Kansas City Royals. He was considered a draft-and-follow selection.
“It’s basically been a goal of mine and dream of mine to play pro baseball,” Hagens said. “It’s an accomplishment to get drafted and now, I’m going to use it to work that much harder.”
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
What’s next?
It looks like the pros. Hagens, the 6-foot-1 right-hander who played at Pitman High and calls Denair his hometown, was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round (186th) during the second day of the MLB Draft on Wednesday, following former Turlock High and Fresno State star Tom Mendonca being selected by the Texas Rangers in the second round the day before.
Hagens, however, has a big decision to make. He can either sign with the Diamondbacks — as long as there’s a decent signing bonus, he said — or continue his college career at Oklahoma State, a school he committed to. But he’s leaning toward one of the choices.
“I want to play pro ball,” said Hagens, who can throw a fastball up to 94 mph along with a hard-sinker.
He’s coming off a stellar season. He went 9-1 with a 3.77 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 88.1 innings as the staff ace for the Blue Devils. The numbers helped him become attractive to pro scouts.
In 2008, he was the 1,105th pick in the 37th round by the Kansas City Royals. He was considered a draft-and-follow selection.
“It’s basically been a goal of mine and dream of mine to play pro baseball,” Hagens said. “It’s an accomplishment to get drafted and now, I’m going to use it to work that much harder.”
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
