Burroughs Pitcher Rossiter Signs With Athletics

Mike Rossiter, a pitcher from Burroughs High, signed a contract with the Oakland Athletics late Tuesday night and will report today to Oakland’s rookie-league affiliate at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Rossiter, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound right-hander, was selected by the Athletics with the 38th overall pick in the June 3 baseball draft. He was named The Times’ Valley pitcher of the year after compiling a 3-5 record and 1.62 earned-run average this season.

Rossiter gave up 44 hits and had 103 strikeouts in 60 innings. He also batted .439 with four home runs and 25 runs batted in.

Rossiter was Oakland’s second pick in the draft. The Athletics chose Minnesota shortstop Brent Gates with the 26th overall selection, then took Rossiter with a supplemental pick as compensation for the loss of outfielder Willie McGee, a Type A free agent who signed with the San Francisco Giants.

Neither Rossiter, nor the Athletics, would reveal the amount of Rossiter’s signing bonus, which was agreed upon at the third meeting between Oakland scout Craig Wallenbrock and the Rossiter family. However, the total package reportedly equals that of Trever Miller, a high school pitcher from Louisville, Ky., who was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 41st pick and signed for $120,000 cash and $30,000 for college.

“In three or four years, I’d like to see myself in the major leagues,” said Rossiter, who turned 18 last week. “I’m willing to go out there and work my tail off and do whatever it takes to get there.”

Wallenbrock, who signed Chicago White Sox pitcher Scott Radinsky out of Simi Valley High in 1986, said Rossiter will begin his career in the Arizona League, but could move to a Class-A affiliate by summer’s end.

“His fastball can possibly be a 90 m.p.h. fastball someday,” Wallenbrock said. “He has the best curve ball I’ve ever seen in a high school kid and he has the potential to have a Bert Blyleven-type of curve ball.

“He hasn’t really found a consistent release point and he has some slight mechanical adjustments to make. But that entails cosmetic work, not a major overhaul.”

Rossiter said he is ready to start working.

“I don’t have to worry about anything else except baseball,” he said. “I just have to take care of business. And now, my business is baseball.”