Three Lee University Players Sign with Major League Baseball
The ranks of former Lee University Flames playing professional baseball increased by two recently while one that was drafted last week reached agreement and has reported for duty.
Jose Cuevas was selected in the 29th round by San Francisco during last week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Play Draft, and has reported to Arizona to play for the Giants Rookie League team.
Pitchers Aaron Everett and Matt Gilson have signed free-agent contacts with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, according to Lee University head baseball coach Mark Brew.
The trio helped lead Lee to its second NAIA national runner-up finish in the past three years. Coming to the Flames from the Bronx, N.Y., Cuevas the slick fielding 6-foot-2 shortstop hit .360 with nine home runs and 66 RBI. He also blasted a walk-off home run in the Flames opening game of the this year’s NAIA World Series last month.
Everett transferred from UT-Knoxville and just completed his senior season with the Flames. He finished the year with a deceiving 7-6 record and eight saves. He had a team-low 2.03 ERA and fanned 60, while allowing just 16 walks in over 57 innings.
Everett was signed by former Tennessee Wesleyan coach Ashley Lawson, who is now the scout/national cross-checker for the Padres. Lawson is the same scout who signed ex-Lee star Lance Zawadzki, who is currently an infielder and on the San Diego major league roster.
Everett flew to Eugene, Ore., on Monday and joined the Eugene Emeralds, the San Diego Class A affiliate and a member of the Northwest League.
“Aaron had a great senior season at Lee and I am glad he was rewarded with this opportunity,” said Brew. “He will most likely throw out of the bullpen, which is a role he relishes. I think he has a good shot to advance through the Padres organization and we wish him the best”
Gilson was signed by Tampa Bay Rays by scout Brad Matthews. He reports to Port Charlotte, Fla. until Friday. At that time he will most likely be assigned to the Princeton Rays (Princeton, W.Va.), the Rays Rookie League affiliate of the Appalachian League.
Gilson was a leader in helping the Flames to third and second-place finishes in the 2009 and 2010 NAIA World Series. This past season the lefty was 10-1 with a 2.17 ERA. In over 99 innings, he struck out 83 and walked 21 batters. Gilson’s only defeat of the year came in the final game of the World Series to national champion Cumberland University.
“Matt had a great two years for us, throwing in the No.1 spot of our rotation,” said Brew. “He provides the Rays with a solid left-handed arm and has shown the ability to really keep hitters off balance. He could be used in a variety of roles for the Rays and I think he will do a great job for them. We wish him the best as he begins his professional career.”
Besides Zawadzki, the Flames have several other players in professional ball. Left-handed pitcher Jeff Ibarra (2008-09) is in the San Diego organization and in (Class A) Fort Wayne, Ind. Infielder Ryan Stovall (2008) is currently with the Burlington Bees (Kansas City Midwest Class A affiliate). Brandon Cunniff (2009) was drafted in the 27th round by the Florida Marlins. Aaron Larsen (2008) was selected 34th round Oakland A’s. As of late Monday afternoon Cunniff and Larsen were not listed as being signed.
Several Flames are involved in professional independent league play. Pitcher Josh Rose (2008-09) is with the River City Rascals (Frontier League). Infielder Brian Bistagne (2008-09) is listed with the Tucson Toros (Golden Baseball League). Catcher/pitcher Mike Valadez is also with the Tucson Toros. Veteran infielder Ron Fenwick (2002-03) is a member of the Coastal Bend Thunder (United League). Lefty Mitch Davidson (2008-09) signed with Pensacola Pelicans of American Association of Independent Baseball but was released due to an injury, and infielder/pitcher Nick Utley (2006-07) is with Laredo Broncos of the United League.
Lee hurler Scott Swinson (2010) is still hoping for a free-agent contract. According to Brew, the right-hander has an offer from River City in the Frontier League, but wants to wait a little while to see if anything else opens.
Lee University was founded in 1918 and is the premier educational institution in the Church of God.
(Source: Lee University sports information)
