Westlake’s Franco Signs with Chicago Cubs

Westlake High’s Matt Franco, who was drafted in the seventh round in last week’s amateur baseball draft, has signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs. Franco, a third baseman who batted .519 this season, will report next week to the team’s Rookie League affiliate in Wytheville, Va.

Franco had been selected to play for the South all-star team that plays this weekend in San Diego against the North in a three-game series sponsored by the California Baseball Coaches Assn. Franco will not play, but Poly’s Danny Gil, who also was selected, is expected to participate.

Neither Providence’s Jeff Cirillo, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, nor Simi Valley’s Tim Laker, who was selected by the Kansas City Royals, said he is likely to sign. Neither has decided on his future plans.

Simi Valley’s Scott Sharts and Joel Wolfe of Chatsworth have been selected for the 16-member West team that plays in the U.S. Olympic Festival next month in North Carolina.