Evan Smith
van Smith isn't wasting anytime in starting his pro baseball career.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected the former Mary Montgomery pitcher in the fourth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft on Thursday. He told AL.com that he will fly to Tampa, Fla., at 4 a.m. Friday to sign his contract.
"I'm excited," he said. "This is what I've been waiting on and working on my whole life. I'm just ready to get started with the next step."
Daniel Lietz
Heartland Community College pitcher Dan Lietz (Homewood-Flossmoor) was drafted on Friday by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round. Lietz, who just completed his freshman year, will sign and report to the Blue Jays Gulf Coast League team in Florida.
"It hasn't sunk in yet and probably won't until Tuesday when I report," Lietz said. "It's pretty exciting."
Tim Mayza
“It is a lot to take in,” Mayza said. “I’m trying to chase the dream of playing in the big leagues. Every kid playing baseball has wishes of seeing their name up on that board. I’m happy that it happened, but I know there is quite a bit of hard work ahead and a long way to go until I reach my goal of the big leagues.”
Scouts filled the stands for nearly all of Mayza’s 15 starts during the season, and there were plenty of teams interested. After Mayza slipped out of the 10th round, which ended on Friday, the Blue Jays called him know they intended to pick him early Saturday.
“From the previous day, I had an idea Toronto was interested,” Mayza said. “When I got picked, it was an excited feeling. Since then, it’s pretty much been everyone calling, texting and tweeting me.
“I knew Toronto has a great farm system and is big in player development,” he added. “They’re good at developing young pitchers. It’s good in terms of my development and getting the most of my ability.