Drafted in the 32nd round (976th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2007 (signed for $123,000).
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Joey Mahalic, who gave up football to focus on baseball this spring and came on strong as the season went on. He pitched well in a tournament against nationally ranked Brophy Prep of Phoenix, and was sitting 87-91 mph and touching 92 regularly down the stretch. His athleticism and fairly easy mechanics were additional pluses.
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One of the most publicized prep baseball players in Oregon history, Mahalic led Wilson High to the state title in 2006 and was named the 6-A player of the year in 2007. A three-sport prep standout, Mahalic also played football, which his father Drew did at Notre Dame and for four seasons in the NFL, and basketball. He quit football to focus on baseball prior to his senior year, and quit basketball after his freshman season after achieving his goal of dunking in a game. The athletic Mahalic already features three average pitches with a 88-91 sinking fastball, hard slider and a changeup. Mahalic had signed a commitment to play at Oregon State under head coach Pat Casey, who said he could have come in and seen consistent playing time as a middle reliever for the two-time defending national champion Beavers in 2008. Instead, Mahalic signed as a 32nd-rounder for $123,000 and wound up pitching in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Indians raved about him during instructional league for his makeup and advanced feel to pitch. He'll likely start off 2008 in extended spring before heading to short-season Mahoning Valley.
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