UM’s Taylor set to join list of pro signees

University of Maine right fielder Gary Taylor has his marketing degree, but he didn’t want to join the work force just yet. He wanted a shot to play professional baseball.

Taylor received that opportunity Thursday afternoon when he learned he had been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 55th round.

He will sign a contract and pick up a $1,000 signing bonus Saturday night. Monday, he will head to Hamilton, Ontario, where he will play for the Cardinals’ Class A New York-Penn League affiliate.

“I was getting a little worried that I wouldn’t get the opportunity. I just wanted to get the chance to try it,” said Taylor. “I’m looking forward to it. It should be a lot of fun. I’m going to have fun with it. The day it’s not fun is, I suppose, the day you should leave.”

Taylor admitted that he thought his inconsistent senior year might have cost him an opportunity to be drafted higher. Taylor finished the season with a .289 average, 14 homers, 14 doubles, and 54 runs batted in. He struck out a team-leading 49 times and hit .162 in postseason play (ECAC Tournament and the NCAA Northeast Regional). Taylor had hit .335 his junior year with 13 homers and 49 RBIs.

“By being inconsistent and having trouble hitting late in the year, I thought they may have figured that I couldn’t handle the kind of pitching I’ll see in the pros,” said Taylor, who attributed his late-season slump to overstriding which created a longer-than-normal swing and a dip in the swing.

Taylor has been told by the Cardinal scouts that he will not be an outfielder. However, they haven’t indicated they intend to use him as a pitcher, either. Taylor, who has a live arm, was 6-7 as a pitcher with a career ERA of 5.04. He didn’t pitch at all this season.

“They’re thinking about making me a first baseman, and they’ve even made the bold suggestion about making me a catcher,” said Taylor. “Catching is the one position I’ve never even attempted to play. That would be exciting, but scary.”

Taylor will be one of three outgoing seniors to sign this week. Center fielder Mark Sweeney has signed with the California Angels, who drafted him in the ninth round, and catcher Paul Kelliher has signed with Atlanta, which chose Kelliher in the 28th round.

Sweeney is headed to Mesa, Ariz., where he will attend a week to 10-day orientation session before being assigned to a Class A team. He thinks he will wind up with Boise, Idaho, in the Northwest League.

Sweeney signed for a $7,500 bonus and was pleased with the contract.

“It may not be the best money in the world, but it’s a better deal than I received (from the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 39th-round pick) a year ago,” said Sweeney. “Money isn’t one of my major concerns, anyway. The Angels have made me feel very comfortable and have told me that I can move up quickly if I play well.”

Sweeney also indicated that the Angels intend to use him as a center fielder “and I’ve been playing there so many years, I feel comfortable out there. But if they move me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll play anywhere.”

Kelliher received a $1,000 signing bonus and will go to Pulaski, Va., Tuesday. Pulaski is in the Appalachian (Rookie) League.

Meanwhile, Black Bear aces Larry Thomas (second round, Chicago White Sox) and Ben Burlingame (14th round, Chicago Cubs) have both rejected a pair of offers apiece. Thomas has been invited to fly to Millington, Tenn., Sunday for the U.S. Pan American Games team tryouts.

Bear shortstop Brian Seguin will also try out for the U.S. Pan Am team.

Down the Line….University of Maine Coach John Winkin will be rooting for Louisiana State University in Saturday’s College World Series championship game against Wichita State. Maine opens its season at LSU next March. “Skip Bertman (Louisiana State Coach) is a great guy and opening the season against the defending national champs would be the (perfect) way to open the season,” said Winkin.