Rays/MLB

Surprise call welcomes Evarts to the pros

By BRANDON WRIGHT, BRIAN SUMERS, GREG AUMAN and IZZY GOULD
Published June 7, 2006

TAMPA - Steven Evarts didn't own a cell phone before Sunday, saying he didn't really need one.

Looks like he joined the cellular age just in time.

Evarts' new phone rang Tuesday, and it was the Atlanta Braves on the other end, informing the Robinson graduate he was the 43rd overall pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft.

"When the phone rang I was like, "Uh oh,' " Evarts said. "I can't even tell you how excited I am. It just feels so good."

Evarts, in Albuquerque, N.M., for the All-American Baseball Game, said getting the call from the Braves "shocked" him because he hadn't seen his name while following the draft online at mlb.com.

"The computer I was watching on was delayed, so I had no idea I had been picked when (the Braves) called me," Evarts said. "The computer was lagging behind, so I didn't see it pop up live."

Evarts, a left-handed pitcher, was a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. The picks are compensation for the loss of a free agent during the offseason. The Braves got the pick after Los Angeles signed shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Evarts was a Times' first-team all-Hillsborough County selection after going 9-3 with a 0.90 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 70 innings for Robinson this past season. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder helped guide the Knights to the region final, where they lost to Northeast 4-1.

Former Robinson coach Sal Urso, who played 111/2 years professionally, was instrumental in Evarts' development. In the Seattle organization, Urso learned an unconventional grip for his changeup he passed along to Evarts.

"You don't see too many high school kids with a changeup like his," Urso said. "It's an above-average pitch at the major-league level right now."

Sergio Perez and his University of Tampa teammates were honored for winning the Division II World Series before Monday's Devil Rays game.

The ceremony gave Perez a taste of the big leagues. Tuesday's news that the Astros selected him in the second round with the 67th overall pick gave him the key to the door.

"I was just soaking everything in with my teammates (Monday) and enjoying one last celebration with them," Perez said. "Because I knew my life would be changing" Tuesday.

USF junior right-hander Casey Hudspeth was drafted in the fifth round by the Astros, the highest pick for the Bulls in nine years.

"I was fishing when I got called," said Hudspeth, who went 7-7 with a 4.38 ERA and led the Bulls with 105 strikeouts. "I watched the draft (online) in high school but I refused to watch it this time."

Hudspeth, of Sarasota, was a 21st-round pick of the Devil Rays in 2003 and said he turned down a $150,000 offer in late summer to attend USF. He's likely to get a six-figure bonus from the Astros.

Coach Mike Martin was disappointed Florida State outfielder and Jesuit graduate Shane Robinson was not taken until the fifth round, by the Cardinals. "I am extremely disappointed and surprised that one of the best baseball players that I have ever coached was the 166th player chosen," Martin wrote on FSU's Web site. "There are 165 players better than Shane Robinson? That just blows my mind."

UT and former Pasco and Pasco-Hernando Community College star Lee Cruz was a 10th-round selection of the White Sox.

Cruz helped UT win the Division II national championship and was named tournament MVP. The 6-2, 190-pound infielder batted .441 for the season with a team-leading 26 home runs and was Division II player of the year.

The Mets had called Cruz before the 10th round to say they would select him.

"I looked at my computer, it was the White Sox," Cruz said. "I've been waiting four years for this. It never happened to me. When I saw my name it felt good. It's time to start playing again."

USF's closer, junior Chase Lirette of Tallahassee, was drafted in the 16th round by the Blue Jays. Lirette had USF's best ERA at 2.90 and led the team with seven saves, striking out 45 batters in 40 innings. He had hoped to be drafted higher and now must decide whether to turn pro or return for his senior season.

Also, St. Petersburg College coach Dave Pano said three of his players have signed pro contracts as free agents: catcher Luis Exposito with the Red Sox, catcher Ulrich Snijders with the Brewers and pitcher Mike Barbara (Dunedin) with the Blue Jays.

USF catcher Brian Baisley was not selected. If picked today, he would join his brothers Brad and Jeff with a shot at a pro career.

[Last modified June 7, 2006, 02:00:17]