[ UH BASEBALL ]
Cleveland signs
Rainbows’ Finegan
Brian Finegan made it official last night when he signed a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians.
"I'm a Cleveland Indian. You can't get the smile off my face now," said the Hawaii shortstop who was selected in the 15th round (437 overall) by the Indians in last week's First-Year Player Draft.
As a senior, Finegan knew he was going to sign and knew he had little bargaining power.
"Everything was straight up," Finegan said. "There was a small amount of money. I got $1,500, which is more than I had. My scout, Don Lyle, said that is pretty much what seniors get, but now I had a chance to make millions. It all depends on me."
He left Fresno, Calif., early today for a flight to Phoenix. He'll then go on to Cleveland, where he will be met by team officials and driven to Niles, Ohio, where Cleveland's short-season Class A team in the New York-Penn League, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, are located.
Finegan won't have to wait long to play baseball again. The NYPL opens play Friday with Mahoning Valley hosting the Auburn (N.Y.) Doubledays, a Toronto farm team.
Finegan had to wait eight days before signing, but had events, like his brother's bachelor's party in Las Vegas this past weekend, to take his mind off things.
"There was some anticipation. I wanted it so bad. It's like Christmas," Finegan said. "My scout told me to have fun, but don't get hurt.
"I've been lifting five days a week. I did some hitting off the tee with my parents shagging balls in 100-degree heat. That was fun."
UH recruit Esteban Lopez, a 48th-round pick by Philadelphia, turned down a pre-selection offer by the Phillies on the first day of the draft. He does not think the money Philadelphia is offering now compares in any way with the experience he will get with the Rainbows.
"I'm not planing on signing and I'm heading to Hawaii," Lopez said.
Kanekoa Texeira, a 31st-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers and a UH recruit, plans to be a draft-and-follow choice. He is playing for the Hawaii Island Movers this summer and will make a decision in August.
"If Milwaukee comes up with more money, I might sign. Otherwise I'm going to Saddleback (Calif.) College in the fall," Texeira said.
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