Area moundmen get the call
A perfect storm hit the prairie between Rathdrum and Post Falls on Wednesday afternoon.
Two players, from rival schools — Jake Pfennigs of Post Falls and Kris Jackson of Lakeland — selected within hours of each other in the final day of the Major League Baseball Player Draft.
Pfennigs will join his classmates in their commencement ceremonies later tonight. But another big decision presented itself on his final day of high school.
Go to Oregon State, where he’s signed to play baseball next year. Or join the San Diego Padres after being selected in the 35th round, 1,041st overall during Wednesday’s final day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Pfennigs, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, got the word from his older brother Joey right after school.
“I was with a buddy of mine on the way to a lake house after school,” Jake Pfennigs said. “My brother called me first and said ‘congrats bro.’ I didn’t even know what he was talking about and then my agent called, then the area scout for the Padres called. It’s definitely a good week for it to happen. It definitely tops it off and excites my day.”
Despite being drafted, Pfennigs said he plans to go to college. He is signed with Oregon State.
Jackson, meanwhile, plans to turn pro.
Jackson, a Lakeland High product who just finished his senior year at NAIA Corban College in Salem, Ore., was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 28th round, 850th overall.
“I was at work when a scout from the Red Sox called me,” said Jackson, who works on the grounds crew at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem. “He asked if I wanted to be drafted still, and I told him absolutely. He told me let me call Boston, and eventually my name was called.”
Jackson, a 5-11, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher, finished with a 9-4 record this past spring, posting a 2.70 earned run average and holding opposing batters to a .230 batting average.
“I sort of expected to go, and maybe didn’t think it was going to happen,” Jackson said. “I really didn’t know if I’d go. That first hour after getting the call, I didn’t know just how to feel. I’m ecstatic.”
San Diego kept in contact with Pfennigs over the spring as he helped the Trojans to a third-place finish in the state 5A tournament.
“We definitely kept in contact over the spring,” Pfennigs said.
As for waiting three days to get selected?
“I knew I was going to get drafted at some point,” Pfennigs said. “I could have gone earlier, but I asked for a signing bonus ($1.5 million) that I knew I wouldn’t get.”
Pfennigs reports to Oregon State in 18 days, where he’ll join the Beavers. Oregon State is playing host to Minnesota in an NCAA Super Regional this weekend, with the winner advancing to the College World Series starting next Thursday in Omaha, Neb.
“I wanted to get to college and learn more things, and just didn’t feel ready yet,” Pfennigs said. “My agent knew I was projected in the earlier rounds, but with that signing number, I knew I wasn’t going to get it. When the area scout called me, I knew they weren’t going to take it, but he just wanted me to know they were interested and hoped to select me again in the future. I was happy with where I was selected. I was happy to hear my name called.”
Pfennigs signed with Oregon State in November. He can re-enter the draft in three years.
“They’ve been my dream school for a while,” Pfennigs said. “I knew I wouldn’t get the first-round money. I’m very excited to see this Oregon State team and what they can do. I can’t wait to report in 18 days. I’m very excited to get started.”
Jackson, a 2014 graduate of Lakeland, said that he’ll report to either Fort Myers (Fla.) or a club in Massachusetts, but is waiting on a final assignment.
“I just want to keep playing,” Jackson said. “The first thing I did after I talked to my scout was call my mom and she was excited. She kept telling how I’ve really earned it and deserve it.”