The departure of Ben Orloff, who graduated after completing a record-setting career with the Anteaters, was, of course, expected. The Big West Conference Player of the Year and Brooks Wallace Award winner as the nation’s top shortstop does, however, leave an ample hole in a roster that went 45-15 and won the school’s first Big West title with a 22-2 conference record.
Danny Bibona, a junior All-American starting pitcher who was the ace of the Anteaters’ staff (12-1 with a 2.63 earned-run average and 108 strikeouts in 106 innings), is still negotiating with the St. Louis Cardinals, who drafted him in the 16th round (No. 489 overall).
Casey Stevenson, a junior second baseman for the ’Eaters in 2009, joins junior infielder Brian Hernandez and incoming Orange Coast College transfer Drew Hillman in the draft-and-follow classification. Stevenson (drafted in the 38th round by the Milwaukee Brewers), Hillman (38th round, Tampa Bay Rays) and Hernandez (39th round, Cleveland Indians) will be evaluated as they compete during the summer. Teams will then decide if they wish to offer them contracts.
Incoming pitching recruits Paul Strong (17th round, Texas Rangers), Kyle Hooper (28th round, Pittsburgh Pirates) and Beau Wright (29th round, Minnesota Twins), are also those awaiting contract offers. The longer the wait, the less likely it is they will trade their UCI jerseys for a professional uniform.
UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said Christian Bergman, a standout junior pitcher who was not drafted, remains hopeful of being offered a free-agent contract. Begman is pitching in the Alaska summer league.
