Warriors’ all-time career homerun and doubles leader Kyle Loretelli is one of three California State University, Stanislaus baseball players who were drafted in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. Loretelli joins CSUS teammates Dakota Watts, who was taken in the 16th round (492nd pick overall) on June 10 by the Minnesota Twins, and Eric Federico, taken in the 39th round (1,171st pick overall) June 11 by the Colorado Rockies.
Loretelli inked a deal with the San Diego Padres organization, officially beginning his professional career a day after being drafted in the 38th round (1,134th pick overall) on June 11, during the third day of the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft.
“The most emotions, I can’t even explain,” Loretelli said about the moment
he found out he was going to be selected. “Those three days, especially
Wednesday (and) Thursday, it was like sleepless nights. It was crazy.”
Loretelli and his family were watching and listening to the draft on the
Internet, waiting for Kyle’s name to be called, when he got a text from
San Diego Padres scout Noah Jackson asking if he had been contacted by any
other teams, because the Padres were ready to take him.
“I saw the message was from him, and that got me going. I was ecstatic,”
Loretelli said.
Loretelli left Sunday morning for Eugene, Ore., where he will play for three months for the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League, the short-season single-A affiliate of the Padres.
“The biggest thing that he has is the ability to hit,” Jackson said about Loretelli. “To play this game you have to be able to hit. He is more than capable defensively (but) it’s the bat that is a separating tool for him, and its
really surprising power as well. He gets good leverage and good bat path to the ball. The fact that he can hit and can do a little bit of everything as well in the field, meaning he can play left, center and right, makes him a versatile guy and a perfect guy for us to throw in the minor league system.”
Federico officially signed his minor league baseball contract with the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in his family’s home in Stockton. The former Warrior was drafted in the 39th round in the MLB First-Year Players Draft earlier in the week.
Federico will begin his professional career in Class A and will report to the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Wash. later this week as the short-season Northwest League begins on June 23.
Federico posted a 4.06 ERA and 5-6 record during his senior year at Cal State Stanislaus. He struck out 63 in 64 1/3 innings of work and walked 20 as part of a strong Warriors pitching staff.
Federico and former roommate Loretelli could meet again soon this summer as the San Diego Class A team Loretelli was assigned to is also a member of the Northwest League. Eugene and Tri-City play each other in a five-game beginning July 18 in Pasco.
Warrior junior pitcher Watts was a 16th round draft pick of the Twins during last week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Players Draft. Watts was the 492nd pick overall. His contract details were not disclosed and his assignment has not been determined.
Watts posted a 8-4 record with a 3.65 ERA in 2009 as one of the Warriors’ starters. The 6-foot-6 junior from Oroville made 12 starts and in 66 2/3 innings allowed 27 earned runs, struck out 68 and walked 33. He transferred from Delta College after his sophomore season and had been a draft prospect during the 2009 season.
Loretelli inked a deal with the San Diego Padres organization, officially beginning his professional career a day after being drafted in the 38th round (1,134th pick overall) on June 11, during the third day of the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft.
“The most emotions, I can’t even explain,” Loretelli said about the moment
he found out he was going to be selected. “Those three days, especially
Wednesday (and) Thursday, it was like sleepless nights. It was crazy.”
Loretelli and his family were watching and listening to the draft on the
Internet, waiting for Kyle’s name to be called, when he got a text from
San Diego Padres scout Noah Jackson asking if he had been contacted by any
other teams, because the Padres were ready to take him.
“I saw the message was from him, and that got me going. I was ecstatic,”
Loretelli said.
Loretelli left Sunday morning for Eugene, Ore., where he will play for three months for the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League, the short-season single-A affiliate of the Padres.
“The biggest thing that he has is the ability to hit,” Jackson said about Loretelli. “To play this game you have to be able to hit. He is more than capable defensively (but) it’s the bat that is a separating tool for him, and its
really surprising power as well. He gets good leverage and good bat path to the ball. The fact that he can hit and can do a little bit of everything as well in the field, meaning he can play left, center and right, makes him a versatile guy and a perfect guy for us to throw in the minor league system.”
Federico officially signed his minor league baseball contract with the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in his family’s home in Stockton. The former Warrior was drafted in the 39th round in the MLB First-Year Players Draft earlier in the week.
Federico will begin his professional career in Class A and will report to the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Wash. later this week as the short-season Northwest League begins on June 23.
Federico posted a 4.06 ERA and 5-6 record during his senior year at Cal State Stanislaus. He struck out 63 in 64 1/3 innings of work and walked 20 as part of a strong Warriors pitching staff.
Federico and former roommate Loretelli could meet again soon this summer as the San Diego Class A team Loretelli was assigned to is also a member of the Northwest League. Eugene and Tri-City play each other in a five-game beginning July 18 in Pasco.
Warrior junior pitcher Watts was a 16th round draft pick of the Twins during last week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Players Draft. Watts was the 492nd pick overall. His contract details were not disclosed and his assignment has not been determined.
Watts posted a 8-4 record with a 3.65 ERA in 2009 as one of the Warriors’ starters. The 6-foot-6 junior from Oroville made 12 starts and in 66 2/3 innings allowed 27 earned runs, struck out 68 and walked 33. He transferred from Delta College after his sophomore season and had been a draft prospect during the 2009 season.
