Dodgers Keep It in the Family

The Dodgers, hoping to add new meaning to the term “home-grown talent,” selected Claremont High pitcher Bryan Tracy, the 18-year-old son of Manager Jim Tracy, in the 21st round of Tuesday’s draft.

“This was not a courtesy pick,” Dodger scouting director Logan White said. “He has a loose arm, a nice, easy delivery, and he’s very projectable. He could be a draft-and-follow guy, someone we could sign [late] if he comes on in the summer.”

Bryan Tracy, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound right-hander, has a scholarship offer to UC Santa Barbara, and Jim Tracy made it clear this week that his son, an outstanding student who is considering a pre-med program, will likely attend college. The Dodgers spent a middle-round pick on him anyway.

“If he chooses to go to Santa Barbara, I’m OK with that,” White said. “To me, [the 21st round] is not that high to take a kid who will probably go to college. We knew other teams were interested in him. We figured we’d keep it in the family.”

Jim Tracy was surprised his son, the 631st overall selection, was drafted so high, and he didn’t even know about the pick until reporters informed him.

“I’m very proud of him,” Tracy said. “He’s made a lot of progress over the last few years, but he still has a long ways to go. He’s a nice project.”