Published: June 21, 2008 02:22 pm         

Hart and Field sign MLB contracts

College Baseball

San Marcos — Well, now it’s official.

After days of speculation and negotiation, both Mike Hart and Thomas Field, who were drafted in the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft, signed professional contracts. Both inked one-year deals with Oakland and Colorado, respectively.

When Hart and Field learned they were drafted on June 6, they had 60 days to negotiate a contract or they were to be returned to their collegiate team. Both players battled their thoughts, but when it came down to it, they signed on the dotted line.

“The whole time, I was thinking about what would be best for me and my family,” Hart said. “I’ve always wanted to play professional baseball. I made my decision pretty much the day I was drafted.”

After a tremendous junior season, Hart was picked in the 19th round (574th overall) by the Athletics. He enters an organization which grooms pitchers to be Major League studs.

Once he made his decision to sign, Hart could barely have time to think. A week after he put down the pen, Hart was settled in Arizona, ready to begin his professional career.

“It felt like time was flying by,” Hart said. “From the time I was drafted until now, it feels like life is moving at a million miles per second.”

Hart was placed in Arizona and will likely move to low-A ball once he gets his passport. He will need it to play for the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. Hart would join other draft picks such as Shawn Haviland of Harvard and Jason Christian of Michigan.

He would also get an opportunity to play against Field, who was optioned to Tri-City (Washington) after signing. Field joined a stacked roster of first-year players with the Dust Devils.

Field has already seen action with Tri-City, playing in two games. In his debut, Field went 1 for 3 with two runs scored. He started in Friday’s game against the Canadians, going 2 for 3, but committing an error at short.

“It’s still baseball, but the game is a lot faster here,” Field said. “I couldn’t play the first few games since I didn’t have my physical, but now I’m getting into a groove.”

When he stepped foot in Washington, Field joined several other Rockie draft picks. Colorado optioned its first-round selection, Christian Friedrich, and second-round pick, Charlie Blackmon, to the Dust Devils.

“It’s great playing with their top picks, but I think I stack up pretty well,” Field said. “No matter where we were drafted, we’re all at the same place now.”

Both players will most likely spend their first seasons with their respective clubs unless they catch fire and explode against Northwest League pitching and hitting.

Hart and Field are capable of filling the stat sheets, as is evident by their junior seasons.

Hart finished his career at Texas State third on the all-time strikeout list with 227. He struck out 89 last season and earned All-Southland third team honors.

Field led the SLC in triples with seven and was named SLC Hitter of the Week for April 14. He earned the accolades by going 15 for 22 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.

Both players know success won’t be handed to them and they need to earn every inning of playing time. Hart and Field could see Major League action anytime in the next three years.

“If I work hard and give it my best, it depends,” Hart said. “It’s all about the opportunity. There’s really no telling. I’m going to go out there and try my best and hopefully I can call myself a Major Leaguer soon.”

Added Field.

“Right now I’m happy to get an opportunity to play at the next level,” Field said. “But in a perfect world, I can see myself reaching the Major Leagues in three years. Realistically, I can see myself reaching in three years. Right now, I’m just living a dream. It’s a perfect world.”

Hart could be pitching against Field on July 25 — when Vancouver travels to play Tri-City at Gesa Stadium.

     

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