Baseball: Former King standout Locke signs pro deal with Angels

Former King pitcher Stephen Locke has signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and is already pitching for the organization's rookie league team.

Locke, who just completed his senior season at UF, was drafted in the 22nd round by the Angels. He has reported to the Orem Owls of the Pioneer League. The left-hander won his pro debut on Tuesday after throwing five innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and striking out four in a win over Ogden.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Baseball: Alonso's Ray Delphey opting to go to USF over signing with Padres

Former Alonso pitcher Ray Delphey has decided he is going to attend USF instead of signing a pro contract with the San Diego Padres.

Delphey, who was drafted by the Padres in the 42nd round of this month's MLB Draft, told Times USF writer Greg Auman Thursday that he has opted for play college baseball for the Bulls.

"Ever since my injury, I was pretty sure I was going to USF, but now I know," said Delphey, a right-handed pitcher who is recovering well from ACL surgery he underwent two months ago. He's on schedule to be released to compete again in October, in time for fall baseball practice with the Bulls. Delphey has done all his rehab work through USF.

Before his injury, Delphey was Hillsborough County's most dominating pitcher. He was 5-0 with a 0.92 ERA in just seven starts. Alonso went on to win the school's first Class 6A state championship.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Baseball: Jefferson High's Chad Taylor chooses USF over signing with Chicago Cubs

Former Jefferson standout Chad Taylor has decided to play college baseball at USF instead of signing a pro contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Taylor, who was drafted by the Cubs in the 13th round of this month's MLB Draft, said he spoke to the Cubs Wednesday and couldn't come to an agreement with the organization. Taylor said he was asking for more than is usually paid to 13th rounders, which is typically a signing bonus more than $100,000.

"It had to pay me enough to get me out of college," Taylor said. "I know I'm going to USF. I think it's in my best interest to go to college. I'm really excited. I can't wait to start school and play at USF."

Taylor batted .342 with 6 homers and 24 RBIs for the Dragons as a senior. He played shortstop during this high school season, but pro scouts also looked at him in centerfield.

"This was a hard decision," Taylor said. "Don't get me wrong, it's an honor just to be drafted. But I'm perfectly fine with going to school."

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Baseball: Hillsborough High's Marlon Mitchell signs pro deal with Philadelphia Phillies

Former Hillsborough High catcher Marlon Mitchell has signed a professional contract with the Phillies.

Mitchell, who had signed to play college ball at N.C. State, was selected by Philadelphia in the 27th round of this month's MLB draft. According to the team web site, he signed with the Phillies on Friday. Terms of the deal were not undisclosed.

"It was a tough decision," Mitchell said. "It took a couple of days to get the deal right, but I'm happy with where I am now."

Mitchell said one factor that helped is that he signed for an offer more than what usual 27th round picks get, a bonus believed to be more than $100,000.

As a senior, Mitchell hit .329 with 4 doubles and 15 RBIs for the Terriers. He was also names to this year's Saladino All-Tournament team.

Mitchell said he reported to the Phillies' minor league complex in Clearwater Wednesday and he will be playing for the organization's Gulf Coast League rookie ball team this summer.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Day 3 of the MLB draft

The final day of the MLB draft wraps up with rounds 31-50. We'll update this thread with area players taken.

Rd/No.     Team         Player                               School
31/961      Texas         CF Reggie Williams             Brooks-DeBartolo

33/1000    Toronto       RHP Robert Benincasa        Armwood

34/1023    Oakland     OF Dylan Brown                  Oklahoma State (Plant High)

39/1173    Oakland      OF Ryan Lockwood            USF (Jesuit High)

42/1254    San Diego   RHP Ray Delphey             Alonso

44/1316    Baltimore    RHP Kyle Westwood           Palm Harbor U.

44/1322    Kansas City SS Derrick Hudgins            Middleton

47/1420    John Rigg    OF John Rigg                    St. Pete College

47/1431    LA of Anaheim 1B Jose Jimenez             U of Tampa

Hillsborough's Mitchell selected by Phillies

Hillsborough catcher Marlon Mitchell was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 27th round (827th pick overall) of the MLB Draft Wednesday.

Mitchell, who is signed to play at N.C. State, hit .329 with one homer and 15 RBIs as a senior.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Former King standout Locke drafted by Angels

Former King pitcher Stephen Locke, now the closer at UF, was drafted by the Angels with the final pick of the 22nd round (681st overall) in the MLB Draft.

As a senior, Locke went 5-2 with a 4.32 ERA.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Sickles' Dunn drafted by Mets in 25th round

Sickles third baseman Josh Dunn was selected by New York Mets in the 25th round of the MLB Draft Wednesday.

Dunn, a Florida Gulf Coast signee, was taken with the 764th overall pick. He hit .452 with six homers and 27 homers his senior year for the Gryphons -- all team highs. 

It's the second straight year a Sickles player has been drafted. Last year, centerfielder Kenny Wilson was a second-round pick of the Blue Jays.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Former Durant standout Giardina drafted by Pirates

Former Durant standout and current UT lefthander Carmen Giardina was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the fourth pick of the 22nd round (655th overall) of Wednesday's MLB Draft.

Giardina was 5-1 with a 6.15 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 45 innings as a junior. He was drafted in the 28th round out of high school, had committed to Texas, but ended up pitching at UCF in his freshman and sophomore years.

Giardina was the third UT players Alex Koronis, a University of Miami transfer, was taken by the Rays in the 11th round (349th overall) and Daniel Keefe was taken by the Cubs with the last pick of the 14th round.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Former Middleton slugger Mallard selected by Angels again

For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have drafted former Middleton standout Jamie Mallard.

Mallard was drafted by the Angels with the final pick of the 18th round, the 561st selection overall. Last season, they took Mallard in the 17th round out of Middleton, but he didn't sign and went to Hillsborough Community College.

This spring, Mallard hit .449 with 10 homers and 58 RBIs at HCC.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA