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Trenary signs with CFCC, but will hear out Rockies
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer CRYSTAL RIVER -- After deliberating for months, ex-Crystal River standout Clayton Trenary finally has picked a college. The only question remaining is: Will he get there? Trenary signed a letter of intent with Central Florida Community College on Wednesday, but the 36th-round draft choice of Colorado said there is a possibility, albeit a small one, he might accept a Rockies contract offer. "I'm 99 percent certain I'll go to CFCC," Trenary said. Trenary, an outfield prospect, is expected to meet with a Rockies representative this week. Late-round draft picks typically are offered little money to turn professional. But in Trenary's case, that could change with a strong showing in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Joplin, Mo., this weekend. "All the general managers from every team will be there," said Bo Trenary, Clayton's father. "If he goes out there and puts on a show, from what I understand there could be more money offered." Trenary said he was not sure how much money it would take for him to bypass college. He seemed content with the idea of playing for CFCC, which is among the state's premier junior college programs. "I think if I spend a couple of years there, I can become a first-round draft pick," Trenary said. "Everything seems right (with CFCC). If I can come in and concentrate on baseball year-round, I think I could be twice as good as I was this year. It's going to be hard, but I can do it." Trenary chose CFCC over Tallahassee Community College and Florida. South Florida showed interest in him as a football player last winter (he played quarterback and safety for the Pirates), but did not offer a scholarship until last week, one day after the baseball draft. By then, Trenary had decided to play baseball. As a catcher, Trenary was a Class 3A first-team all-state selection this spring after helping lead Crystal River to a 30-4 finish and its first state semifinal appearance in 46 years. He was tops in the county in batting average (.602), home runs (12) and RBIs (61). "He brings an element to the game you don't see with others in high school," said Crystal River principal Stephen Myers, an avid baseball fan. "He hit with power, he was strong behind the plate and he's got great speed. But more importantly, he was a team leader." Central Florida coach Marty Smith said Trenary will spend the majority of his time in the outfield, but will catch in spots. "A lot of pitchers in high school made two mistakes per at-bat," Smith said. "Now, they'll make one mistake. He used to see one good pitcher a week and, if we play five games in a week, he's going to see three or four good ones." Trenary is among five first-team all-state players signed by CFCC this spring. Crystal River standouts Jimmy Metz, a pitcher, and Marcus Galvan, a first baseman, signed with the Patriots in February. Metz was a first-team all-state pick. Galvan was a third-team choice. "Now that Clayton will have the whole year to dedicate to baseball, the sky is the limit," Pirates coach Brent Hall said. -- Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 860-7337 or niebuhr@sptimes.com. INTRODUCING: CLAYTON TRENARYSCHOOL: Crystal River. AGE: 18. HEIGHT: 6-1. WEIGHT: 190. LETTERS EARNED: Baseball, 4; football, 4; track, 2; weightlifting, 2. HIGHLIGHTS: Times All-Citrus/Hernando Baseball Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002; area football player of the year in 2000; all-state in baseball and football as a senior; runner-up in Class 3A Player of the Year voting after the 2002 baseball season.
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