Fullerton’s Powell Turns Down Blue Jays’ Initial Offer

An outstanding Cal State Fullerton recruiting class has been hit hard by professional baseball, but the Titans’ top signee, Millikan High School outfielder Dante Powell, has turned down an initial offer from the Toronto Blue Jays and appears headed for college.

Powell, who hit .440 with 48 stolen bases and 45 runs scored to lead the Rams to the Southern Section 5-A championship, was a sandwich pick--given to compensate teams that lost free agents--between the first and second rounds of the June amateur draft.

His father, LeVon, said the Blue Jays’ six-figure offer was “a very fair amount, but we just decided not to accept it right now.”

Powell, who could provide some much-needed speed to the Fullerton lineup, said he will likely go to school.

“I just want to get some experience and some education,” said Powell, named one of the nation’s top 25 high school prospects by USA Today.

But George Horton, Titan associate head coach, won’t feel confident about the situation until Powell attends his first class in September.

Toronto has a reputation for negotiating with their top drafts throughout the summer and signing them just before school starts.

Blue Jay first baseman John Olerud, a third-round pick in 1989, signed a few days before he was supposed to start his senior season at Washington State. Olerud’s signing package was in the $1-million range, and he made his professional debut in the major leagues.

“They (the Powells) have made a decision, but that doesn’t mean he won’t sign,” Horton said. “Circumstances change, things change, and Toronto is a hard organization to say no to. We’re not putting his name on the back of a uniform now, but we stand a pretty good chance of getting him.”

Two other Fullerton recruits, Cerritos High outfielder Rickey Cradle and Millikan catcher Pat Thacker, couldn’t say no to the Blue Jays. Cradle, a fifth-round pick, and Thacker, a ninth-round pick who was also going to play basketball at Fullerton, have signed professional contracts with Toronto.

Chris Gambs, a pitcher from Monte Vista High in Richmond, Calif., has signed with the San Francisco Giants, and Hector Trinidad, a pitcher from Pioneer High, has signed with the Chicago Cubs. Gambs, also among USA Today’s top 25 prospects, was a third-round pick. Trinidad was a sixth-round pick.

To make up for some of the losses, Horton says Fullerton has signed two more players, Arcadia High pitcher Mike Parisi and Laney (Oakland) College infielder Nate Rodriquez.