Outfielder Will Transfer From BYU to Fullerton

Outfielder Spencer Oborn, one of the top hitters in the Western Athletic Conference for two seasons, said Thursday he will transfer from Brigham Young and play for Cal State Fullerton next season.

Dave Serrano, a Titan assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, said Oborn has been given his release by BYU, making him eligible next season under the NCAA’s one-time transfer rule for baseball.

Oborn has batted above .400 and hit 15 home runs in each of the last two seasons.

As a sophomore last season, Oborn batted .426 and drove in 64 runs. As a freshman, Oborn batted .403, ninth best in the WAC.

Oborn played at Diamond Bar High.

“Playing for Fullerton should help my pro chances,” he said. “I’ll have more opportunity to be seen by scouts. They play a tough schedule, and I’ve always dreamed about playing in an NCAA regional and the College World Series.”

Oborn is playing this summer in the Cape Cod League.

“Getting Oborn should take away some of the load of losing Aaron Rowand,” Serrano said. “Based on everything we know about Oborn, he should strengthen us. He can hit for average, hit with power, has a strong arm and can really run.”

Oborn, who is 6 feet 3 and 185 pounds, stole 24 bases in 25 attempts last season. The only time he was thrown out was when he tried to steal home.

Rowand, who led the Titans in home runs (16) and runs batted in (72) last season, was the 35th player taken in the amateur draft, and has signed with the Chicago White Sox. The Titans also lost senior outfielders Pete Fukuhara and Steve Chatham, but outfielders Reed Johnson and Chris Beck return.