Erstad Signs Contract, Gets $1.575 Million Bonus

Darin Erstad joined baseball’s millionaire boys club Wednesday when the former Nebraska outfielder and No. 1 pick in the June draft signed with the Angels for a $1.575-million bonus.

But Erstad, 21, a Jamestown, N.D., native who hit .410 with 19 home runs and 76 runs batted in for the Cornhuskers last spring, doesn’t expect his lifestyle to shift with his income bracket.

“I might have a couple more pairs of jeans and T-shirts in my closet,” said Erstad, who reported to the Angels’ Mesa, Ariz., training complex Wednesday night and probably will start his professional career at Class A Lake Elsinore next weekend.

“But it won’t change me at all. I’m just like any other guy trying to play the game and make the major leagues.”

Get in line, kid. Erstad, a center fielder, will have a tough time cracking the young Angel outfield of Tim Salmon (27), Jim Edmonds (25) and Garret Anderson (23) any time soon, and if there is one position the minor league system is well-stocked, it’s the outfield.

“It’s going to be pretty tough, but with time and experience, who knows?” said Erstad, a first-team All-American selection by Collegiate Baseball magazine and a punter on Nebraska’s national championship football team last year. “A lot of things can happen. We’ll see.”

Tim Mead, Angel assistant general manager, said it’s way too early to be concerned with a possible logjam in the Angel outfield.

“We’re talking at least two years from now,” Mead said. “If he’s at the point where he’s pushing for a starting job, that would be a good problem to have. We’ll also need another designated hitter around then. We look at that as the glass being half-full.”

Erstad, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-hander who used wood bats in the Cape Cod Summer League in 1993 and ‘94, got a taste of the major leagues Wednesday when he toured Anaheim Stadium and the Angel clubhouse before the game against the Indians.

“Hey rook,” third baseman Tony Phillips razzed Erstad. “That tie looks a little long.” Erstad said the only time he got nervous was when he met Rod Carew, the Angel batting instructor and former Minnesota Twins star.

“Growing up in North Dakota, Minnesota was the closest team to us,” Erstad said. “He was a legend.”

When the Angels picked Erstad June 1, they had hoped to have him signed within a week or two, but General Manager Bill Bavasi didn’t think prolonged negotiations between the team and adviser Jeff Moorad--they finally agreed to terms Tuesday night, following the Angel-Indian game--would hinder Erstad’s development.

“Doing the right deal was more important than getting him out there,” Bavasi said.

Erstad’s deal--the signing bonus was just shy of the record $1.6 million Moorad negotiated for Florida Marlin pick Josh Booty in 1994--includes another $150,000 in guarantees for major league call-ups in 1995, ’96 and ’97 and a $40,000 provision to complete his college education.

If the Angels choose not to call up Erstad during those seasons, they would have to pay him $25,000 in both 1995 and ’96 and $100,000 in ’97. Erstad also will donate $25,000 to charities in North Dakota and Orange County.

“I wanted to play, but I had to be patient,” said Erstad.