Belfast’s Sazi Guthrie signs Padres contract

What a whirlwind year it’s been for Sazi Guthrie … And it still has two months left to run.

The 23-year-old Belfast native began the year selling cars, collecting bills over the phone, and chasing a dream.

His immediate goal was to play professional baseball, but his ultimate dream was to someday pitch in the major leagues. Almost eight months after attending a free agent tryout camp in Arizona, Guthrie is close to living the dream shared by almost every guy.

Seven months after signing a contract to play for the independent Northern League’s Gary Southshore Railcats, Guthrie has signed another contract … with the San Diego Padres.

So a year after having a friend’s couch serve as his official residence for 21/2 months, Guthrie has an entirely different focus this off-season.

“I think about that a lot,” Guthrie said. “Last year, I was just hoping just to get a shot. Now I’m looking to improve and move up.”

After compiling a 9-5 record along with a 4.00 earned run average in 16 starts and 20 total appearances on the mound with Gary, the Padres signed him and invited him to their spring training camp early next year in Peoria, Ariz.

“I’m going back to San Diego and training this off-season,” Guthrie said late last week. “It’s just like last year, only I know I’ll be playing somewhere. I’ll start at Lake Elsinore [Calif.] unless I don’t do well in the preseason.”

The Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League is San Diego’s high A team, much like the Sarasota Red Sox are for Boston.

The 6-foot-4, 205 pound Guthrie has reason for optimism. The man who personally scouted and signed him is Bill Bryk, the Padres’ field coordinator and special assistant to general manager Kevin Towers.

“The scout told us to give him a call a week later, but he called me back that Tuesday or Wednesday and signed me shortly after,” said Guthrie, who was told the organization would likely start him out as a relief pitcher.

Ironically, the Padres also signed Gary teammate, good friend and reliever Jake Upwood, who was also Guthrie’s teammate at Ithaca College.

“It just kind of worked out. He got released from Lincoln the same day I came to play in Gary, and I mentioned him to my coaches,” Guthrie said. “They signed me and they waited until the following week to sign him.”

Not only does Upwood owe Guthrie, he also has to endure teasing by Guthrie, who gained bragging rights through Bryk’s assessment.

“He basically said I was older and more developed than he was even though I’m only seven months older than Jake,” Guthrie said with a chuckle.

Upwood gained a temporary respite by heading back home to New York, so Guthrie is making do by starting his offseason training regimen. He is concentrating on increasing his stamina and strength.

White Sox buy Blakely

The Chicago White Sox have bought the rights to outfielder Darren Blakely from the Brockton Rox. After being traded to Brockton by New Jersey in mid-August, Blakely helped lead the Rox to their first Northeast League championship. He was also chosen to compete for Team USA in the XXXV IBAF Baseball World Cup in Havana, Cuba.

Blakely led the NEL in extra base hits with 49 and doubles with 29. He also batted .304 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600, or aneff@bangordailynews.net