Baseball Amateur Draft : Astros Make a Pitch to Track Star Reyes

Two years ago, Orange Glen High School’s Glen Reyes was faced with a difficult choice--track and field or baseball.

Reyes loved baseball but believed he could excel in track. He did, winning section titles in the 100 meters twice and the 200 meters and long jump once.

Just a few days after his high school track career ended with an eighth-place finish in the state 100 meters, Reyes has found his high school baseball career, as brief as it was, was enough to get him noticed . . . and drafted.

Reyes said he was part of both the baseball team and track and field team as a freshman. He said he left after a month on the baseball team during his sophomore year so he could devote himself full time to the track team. He never returned to the baseball team after he left.

Dan Dixon, from the Major League Scouting Bureau, remembered Reyes’ speed and defensive skills as a second baseman and shortstop on the Orange Glen baseball team and called him in April. Soon Reyes was working out with the San Diego Stars, a semipro team, and was being noticed by major league scouts.

Then on Monday, after not having picked up a bat or glove until a few weeks ago, Reyes became the first prep baseball player in San Diego County to be drafted by a major league team when he was selected by the Houston Astros.

Reyes believes he was drafted largely because of his speed and his switch-hitting ability.

“(Running’s) really my only polished skill right now,” Reyes said.

Reyes, though, said he was amazed at how his baseball skills came back to him during the Sunday afternoon practices and intrasquad games with the Stars.

“It seemed like I hadn’t stopped,” Reyes said. “It was weird. It seemed like I never missed it. I was supposed to work out for a week (to prepare for the Stars’ practices), but I didn’t even do that.”

Art Warren, Orange Glen baseball coach, said he wasn’t the least bit surprised Reyes was drafted.

“He’s got some tools that people like,” Warren said. “My personal opinion is that baseball is his best sport. I’ve said that all along.”

Reyes said he expects to sign with the Astros soon if he is given financial aid with a college education. If not, Reyes said he will consider an offer from Cal State Northridge to run track and play baseball as a walk-on.

“I’m hoping I get what I deserve for the round I’m picked in,” said Reyes, who would not disclose the round.

And although his track career might be over, Reyes said it will not be forgotten.

“You learn to be positive in track,” he said. “You have to have that mental edge. I’m going to struggle a little bit at first because I haven’t played in so long and the other players have been playing their whole lives. I’m not doubting that I can physically compete, but I’m going to have to believe in myself more than most kids will.”

Mt. Carmel product Miah Bradbury, who was drafted out of Loyola Marymount by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round, said he has always believed he could play major league baseball.

“Ever since kindergarten, I dreamed it,” said Bradbury, who was drafted in the 26th round out of high school by the Phillies. “When they asked us what we wanted to be, most kids said a fireman, but I always said I want to be a baseball player.”

Bradbury, who said he expects to sign soon, believes he has gotten this far on hard work. The work ethic and appreciation for the game were instilled by Sam Blalock, his coach at Mt. Carmel, and Dave Snow, Loyola coach.

“Coach Blalock was real good in teaching intensity and work ethic, but Coach Snow showed me a way to play the game I never knew before,” Bradbury said. “I’ve learned to play as hard as I can. I don’t know if everybody knows how to do that. Coach Snow taught a real respect and love for the game. By playing hard, you pay that respect to the game. By taking it easy, you take the game for granted.”

Other local high school players drafted were: Manny Gagliano, a third baseman from Crawford by the Milwaukee Brewers; Jeremy McGarrity, a pitcher from El Capitan by the St. Louis Cardinals; Ray McDavid, a first baseman/outfielder from Clairemont by the Padres; Gordon Sanchez, a catcher from San Marcos by the Chicago Cubs; Sean Darrock, an outfielder from Mission Bay by the Boston Red Sox; Brian Giles, an outfielder from Granite Hills by the Cleveland Indians; and John Tejcek, a shortstop from Mt. Carmel by the Oakland Athletics.

Gagliano, rated by Baseball America as the 49th best prospect in the nation, is expected to sign a baseball letter-of-intent with Oklahoma State. McDavid did not play baseball this season.

At least four San Diego State players were drafted: Rob Brown, Billy Miller, Dave Riddle and Kasey McKeon.

Brown, an all-Western Athletic Conference pitcher, was selected by the Texas Rangers. Miller, an all-WAC outfielder and former Bonita Vista standout, was selected by the Dodgers. Riddle, a former Madison pitcher, was chosen by the Baltimore Orioles. McKeon, a catcher and son of Padres manager Jack McKeon, was selected by the Tigers.

Jim Lindgren contributed to this story.