The latest on the four drafted locals
As a few days have passed since the Major League baseball draft, the four locals who were drafted - St. Paul's Gabe Encinas, La Mirada's Daniel Poncedeleon and Adam Gaylord and Sonora's Garret Levsen - all have big decisions to make.
St. Paul's Gabe Encinas
Let's start with the Loyola Marymount-signed Encinas, who was drafted #205 with the last pick in the sixth round by the New York Yankees.
Encinas said he was given assurances by the Yankees he would be given a good offer when he meets with team officials this week.
Encinas also said he appreciated how patient Loyola Marymount was, especially Lions coach Jason Gill for understanding the process.
What's the bottom line: It's clear Encinas is leaning toward signing with the Yanks, although he did give one caveat, saying he "was comfortable going to college if (he) doesn't get the offer (he) wants."
La Mirada's Daniel Poncedeleon
Poncedeleon, who's signed with the University of Arizona, was drafted #731 by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 24th round.
Like Encinas, Poncedeleon is also waiting for a visit from team officials over the next couple of weeks.
What's unclear is whether Poncedeleon will get a strong enough offer from Tampa Bay.
Even the senior admitted he was curious "to see what exactly they would offer me."
The bottom line: I would guess we're going to see Poncedeleon in Tucson next year. I'm guessing there is a 60-40 chance for college over the pros although Poncedeleon said Rays officials were optimistic they could strike a deal.
Whittier resident Garret Levsen of Sonora High
Levsen, who signed with Point Loma University, was drafted #876 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 29th round.
As is the process, Levsen is scheduled to meet with team officials in the next couple of weeks.
The Whittier native was thrilled with being drafted and even hinted the draft was more of an honor than an opportunity.
Levsen was the strongest of all three high-schoolers in leaning toward college and said Pirates brass would need to make a pretty good offer "because what Point Loma has already given me is pretty special."
Bottom Line: Levsen is 70-30 maybe even 80-20 heading to college. That isn't to say that if the Pirates come up with an irresistible offer, he wouldn't jump. But Levsen understands what he already has with Point Loma and what it's going to take to get him to give that up.
Stanford senior Adam Gaylord, a La Mirada High alumnus (photo courtesy of Stanford athletics)
Gaylord concluded his Stanford undergraduate career by receiving his bachelor's degree in political science in today's university graduation.
Gaylord was taken #928 in the 31st round by the Baltimore Orioles.
As the MLB draft rounds dwindled down, Gaylord began to ponder either going back to law school or coming home to La Mirada for his future plans.
Now, he's on a plane either Monday or Tuesday back east to take a physical and to find out what the O's have planned for him.
Gaylord understands the path to the pros is a difficult one but is thankful for the opportunity.
The bottom line: Gaylord said he's going to give it everything in chasing his dream of reaching the pros. Yet, the young man also realizes he has a degree from one of the top schools in the world and has a bright future, whether that be in baseball or other avenues.
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About this blog
Steve Ramirez is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
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He did not get accepted!
????? Did Encinas get accepted to Loyola? OK!! If he did get accepted he must have had the necessary classes, right? Or am I ignorant on the subject? Do colleges let athletes in just to play ball.
I think that if Gabriel got accepted, which the news states, then what he accomplished at St. Paul was good enough. ??? I do not know (I do not think I know everything (maybe almost), am I wrong? It has been a long time since I was in college. I think the rules got tougher, not weaker.
Loyola is a pretty good school, isn't it? If Loyola is a private institution, they set their own qualifications for acceptance. Right?
One more thing. Even if Gabriel is not a real good student, hopefully he will go through a process many athletes and non-athletes have gone through: they get a year or two older, they mature mentally a little more, they realize the importance of the education, and most important...THEY RISE TO THE OCCASION. EVEN IF THE MOTIVATION IS THE LOVE OF PLAYING BASEBALL, they get the job done in the classroom!
Give the kid a chance academically. It reads like some of you are counting him out academically. Pull for the kid, he is one of the best athletes in our area.
I hate SFHS as a DRL rival but Gabe would of received a better education there. Because if he has the goods (Baseball) and he does, a parochial school is out of the question an less he has many other problems.
The academic thing at St Paul goes “way” back, that’s why enrollment has dropped now for 9 years, and him & her from SP know they are a part of it. Because if you look the other way SP supporters, you are a part of it.
taking remedial classes will not cut it. might as well get your g.e.d.
Come on at that school, you can not go to class and receive a 3.0 GPA. SP still teaches the world is flat' lol.
If you didn't know Gabriel passed with over a 3.0 gpa. So how isn't he cutting it? People change especially in college. Even if he does go pro, he's still going to need to go to college if it doesn't all work out in the end. You make it seem like it's so impossible to graduate from college. I think people just hate because they never went to college, and if you didn't go to college or even got accepted to one, you shouldn't say anything. Good luck Gabriel and to all drafties. You guys are the future to this area. If all of you make, this area becomes stronger all together.
Amen, Anon. in college you're not the solo high profile student being used to draw enrollment.
if Gabe can't cut it in High School, he should go pro. In college you will not get teachers passing you.
if the classroom is tough in high school, go pro!
Congrats to local kids