 "Photo: Paul Wentzell")
After being picked 250th in the this year's MLB draft, Adrian Alaniz decided to make his stay at the University of Texas a short one.
After leading the Longhorns to the Round Rock Regional with a 12-3 record and leading the team in strikeouts (91) and opponent's batting average (.215), Alaniz will continue his pitching career on a minor league team for the Washington Nationals.
Alaniz reported to camp Monday with the Vermont Lake Monsters after signing his debut contract with the Nationals. According to Paul Stanfield, Vermont's Media Relations Director, Alaniz is expected to get considerable playing time as a relief pitcher this season for the Lake Monsters. The Lake Monsters opened at home Tuesday night against the Tri-City Valley Cats.
Chance Wheeless also had his minor league debut yesterday for the Missoula Osprey, a minor league team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wheeless, who played first base, went 2-for-4 in the start, scoring a run in a 4-3 Osprey loss to the Helena Brewers.
Last season with the Longhorns, the lefty lead the team with a .376 batting average and 89 hits. Wheeless was drafted in the 17th round and has already signed his contract with the Diamondbacks. He reported to camp last Saturday, and according to team spokesperson Arlen Plaister, he will compete for the starting job with Jose Dijol, the returning first baseman for the Osprey.
Chais Fuller walked into camp for the Gulf Coast Braves as the starting shortstop. He signed with the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent after his senior season with the Longhorns. Fuller's first start was scheduled for Tuesday against the Gulf Coast Indians.
All draft-eligible Texas players were either drafted or signed with teams as free agents. The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Randy Boone in the seventh round, Nick Peoples went in the 19th to the St. Louis Cardinals while Joseph Krebs went in the 14th to the Cincinnati Reds. Brett Lewis was un-drafted but signed with the Boston Red Sox.
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