For the second straight day, South Carolina saw one of its top juniors sign a professional contract. Catcher Justin Dallesagreed to terms with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday evening makinghim the second Gamecock to forfeit his final year of eligibility andtake their game to the professional level.
TheOrioles selected Dalles on the second day of the Major League Baseballdraft in the sixth round at No. 176 overall. It is the fourth time inhis career he was selected in the draft but was by far the highestposition.
“Itwas a pretty easy process,” Dalles said. “They were very sure theywanted me and wanted to get this done. It was just a matter of time tocome down to a certain amount of money. They called me today and therewere no problems with negotiating. They gave me their final offer and Iapproved it.”
Comingout of high school, the right-handed slugger was picked in the 15thround by the New York Mets but spurned the professional ranks and optedto go to St. Petersburg JC. After his first season there blasting sixhomeruns, Dalles was selected in the 40th round by the St. LouisCardinals.
“It’sbeen a long road,” Dalles said. “Four different clubs have chosen meand I felt this time was really the time I was ready to go.
Again,Dalles remained an amateur and earned 2008 NJCAA honorable mentionAll-America honors hitting .387 with 13 homeruns and 70 runs batted in.However, he improved his draft stock to just the 26th round beingselected by the Toronto Blue Jays.
“Goingto Carolina really helped me this whole process and really got me readyfor the next level,” Dalles said. “The SEC competition, playing thelong schedule, playing in front of those fans – I thought I handled itwell. I looked deep down inside, talked to my mother, and I thoughtthis was a great time to start my professional career.”
Dalleswill head to Baltimore on either Wednesday or Thursday to makeeverything official with the team. He will report to the AberdeenIronbirds of the New York-Penn League for his first assignment.
The NYPL is home to the Staten Island Yankees where classmate DeAngelo Mack is headed. The teams have a three-game set beginning on Sunday where the two former USC standouts are likely to meet up.
“We’regoing to be representing Gamecock nation,” Dalles said with a laugh.“He’s a good friend of mine and he’s been telling me what’s going on.He hit a homerun in his first scrimmage game and he’s loving it. Hemisses Carolina but it’s just a different step.”
Histicket to big time baseball and a higher draft selection was SouthCarolina. Playing in the top conference in the country, Dalles rackedup gaudy statistics proving his professional worth.
“Itwas so much fun going to all the different stadiums, playing atCarolina Stadium, playing in front of the fans, playing for CoachTanner – this year is just full of memories I will never forget,”Dalles said. “It’s been one of the best years of my life. I’m happyit’s played its course and I’ve been here at Carolina. It’s been a funride; from top to bottom, it’s been an honor and a privilege to be aGamecock.”
Duringhis one season at Carolina, Dalles was fifth on the team in battingaverage at .324 and finished second on the team in homeruns with 15. Hecommitted just four errors behind the plate while holding an on-basepercentage of .411.
Dalles spoke with head coach Ray Tanner early Tuesday evening to let his former head coach know his intentions.
“Wehave a great relationship, me and coach Tanner,” Dalles said. “He toldme if I ever needed anything he would be there for me. He’s going tokeep in touch along the way and he’s 100-percent comfortable with mydecision. I know we’ll keep in touch throughout the years.”
Inearning second team All-SEC honors, Dalles threw out 18 of 39 baserunners in 2009 and allowed just five passed balls during his timebehind the plate.
Dallessurely helped his draft stock earning All-Regional honors this seasonin Greenville, N.C. He was 11-19 during his four games with threehomeruns and 10 RBI’s.
The slugger had one final message for the USC fans that have supported him all season.
“Iappreciate everything they’ve done for me,” Dalles said of the Gamecockfaithful. “Just keep doing what you’re doing because without you, wewouldn’t be where we are. I really appreciate everything they’ve doneand all the support that they’ve shown.”
