Another notch on the GFI scoreboard as alumni move into the big leagues
By Gerry Foster
2012 Grand Forks International (GFI) All-Star pitcher, David Otterman, was drafted in the 7th round by the Milwaukee Brewers last week in the annual Major League first-year player draft. He was the second of 26 Canadians to be taken. And not much time was wasted in getting his professional career underway as he has already signed a contract.
The big lefthander played 3 years at the University of .B.C and is from Coquitlam. His college coach, Terry McKaig said, “He now gets to realize his childhood dream of playing professional baseball”, and added, “A very exciting day for David and his family, and the UBC baseball program.” We can add to this that the GFI family is also proud and thrilled.
The following day another UBC athlete and former GFI participant, Keaton Briscoe, was selected in the 24th round of the amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. Keaton played second base for the Thunderbirds. He is from North Vancouver and batted .318 in 100 career games in college.
This brings to 19 the number of UBC players who have been taken in the Major League Draft since that baseball program was re-started in 1997.
This was not the end of things for GFI alumni as two others went in last week’s amateur draft. Lewis Clark State’s Austin Pentecost, a senior right-hander, went in the 29th round and his teammate Luke Goodgion was grabbed in round 33 by the Tampa Bay Rays. Pentecost became the first LC State player to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs. The Lewis Clark State baseball program has now had at least one player drafted from all 30 of the current Major League franchises.
“It feels good—kind of like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Pentecost said about being drafted. “I talked to a few scouts the night before and they were telling me that I’d probably get picked somewhere between 16-30, but I was really surprised by the Cubs because I hadn’t really talked to them all season.”
Goodgion pitched a complete game shutout for the Lewiston Truckers in last year’s Grand Forks International while David Otterman also tossed 7 scoreless innings in a game for Team Canada. Fans in attendance last year, and in previous years, were privileged to watch them in Grand Forks first, along with Keaton Briscoe and Austin Pentecost; now they will display their talents in professional leagues around North America.
