AMATEUR BASEBALL DRAFT : Dana Hills Catcher Signs Contract With Braves

Lance Marks of Dana Hills High School said Monday he has signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Marks, the first player picked in the third round of last week’s free agent amateur draft, turned down a baseball scholarship to Pepperdine to sign with the Braves.

“I had planned to go to Pepperdine but I was aware of the draft situation,” he said. “I was a little surprised (to be drafted that high), but the Braves talked to me before the draft and said I could go there.”

Marks would not reveal his signing bonus but said the Braves “made me a great offer.”

“The money was right and they (the Braves) have a deal where they cover the cost of your education, so I still have that paid for,” he said.

Marks, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound catcher, said he will move to third base when he reports on June 22 to the Braves’ rookie league team in Bradenton, Fla. He will graduate from Dana Hills June 20.

“I haven’t played (at third) in a game, but I’ve taken ground balls and practiced there,” Marks said.

This season, Marks hit .405 with five home runs and 17 runs batted in for Dana Hills, which finished 14-11-1. Marks’ 22 career homers ties him for the county record with Valencia’s Andy Ruscitto.

After he was drafted last week, Marks got an early taste of life in the major leagues. He took batting practice with the Braves before a game at Dodger Stadium.

“I talked to (Dale) Murphy a little bit and took early batting practice with them,” Marks said. “Most of the time I talked to (pitcher Charlie) Kerfeld. He’s a character.”