Jarrard receives call from Milwaukee Brewers
Having played several positions successfully throughout his collegiate career, Julian Jarrard hoped someday his versatility would put him in position to play professional baseball.
The Glendale Community College product will no longer have to ponder over reaching the next level.
Jarrard received a phone call Thursday from Milwaukee Brewers area scout Joe Graham, who informed Jarrard that the organization planned to sign him as a minor league free agent. It came a day after the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft concluded.
Jarrard, who played shortstop this past season at Menlo after previously playing at Biola University, was set to report to the Brewers spring training site in Arizona on Monday. He will be assigned to one of their lower-level squads.
“It’s just indescribable right now and it’s something I’ve looked forward to my entire life,” said Jarrard, who helped Glendale win Western State Conference South Division championships in 2012 and 2013. “To get this kind of opportunity, I’m more than grateful. Now I have a chance to prove myself at the next level and that’s what I intend to do.
“I got a call first from [Menlo coach Victor Brankovich] telling me the Brewers were interested. Then I spoke to Joe Graham for about 20 minutes and we talked about a few things and I told him I’d do anything I could to help out. It comes back to spending a lot of extra hours in the cage and in the field and trying to find ways to get better. It paid off.”
Jarrad enjoyed a fantastic season at Menlo (34-20, 17-13 in the Golden State Athletic Conference). In 51 games, he batted .330 (62 for 188) with 22 home runs and 56 runs batted in. He added six doubles, 13 walks and scored 36 runs. Jarrard received National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics honorable mention.
Jarrard was a two-time All-Western State Conference selection at Glendale, where he played infield and catcher..
“I thanked [Glendale coach] Chris Ccicuto and [assistant] Alex Kocol for teaching me so much about the game. They showed me how to go about my business on the field and I really couldn’t have done it without all of their help.”
Cicuto, who has led the Vaqueros to five division championships in the past seven seasons, said Jarrard provided stability in helping the Vaqueros succeed.
“He’s a super-talented athlete and we could put him in a lot of positions,” Cicuto said. “It’s exciting to be able to see Julian get a chance to go after his dream. It’s about how the Brewers see him in terms of where to play.
“I got emotional after he sent me a text telling me he had been signed. He’s a very humble guy and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
