White Sox Finally Make Offer Oborn Accepts

All-American outfielder Spencer Oborn, who earlier said he expected to be back playing for Cal State Fullerton next season, has agreed to contract terms with the Chicago White Sox organization and will pass up his senior season.

Duane Shaffer, the White Sox scouting director, said the team increased its offer to Oborn based on his performance in the Alaska summer collegiate league.

Oborn, the Big West Conference player of the year last season as a junior after transferring from Brigham Young, had twice rejected offers from the White Sox during the summer. Chicago drafted him in the 14th round.

“We knew he was a pretty good hitter, but he had what was regarded as an aluminum bat swing,” Shaffer said. “There was some doubt about how well he would hit with the wooden bat, but he made some improvements over the summer hitting with wood, so we felt we could increase our bonus offer. We knew he could run and throw, and if his bat comes around, he should have a good chance to make it.”

Oborn led the Anchorage Bucks in hitting during the summer, batting .314. He hit .395 with 14 home runs and 82 runs batted in last season for the Titans.

“I wanted to sign, but I just didn’t think the situation was right before now,” Oborn said. “It’s bad timing because I won’t be able to go out and play right away. I wish it had happened this way earlier.”

Oborn has mixed emotions about not returning to Fullerton. “The coaches there have been really been good to me, and it was hard to leave,” Oborn said. “I think playing there last year helped me a lot, and I had a great time with us going to the College World Series.”

Shaffer said Oborn will be assigned to the instructional fall league in Tucson and then to the White Sox’ Class A team in Burlington, Iowa, next season.