When the Chicago White Sox picked Jordan Yallen in the 47th round of the Major League Baseball, the team made history. The White Sox made Yallen the first baseball player from Golden Valley to be drafted by a major league team.
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Now Yallen has a tough decision to make. He has a scholarship to play baseball at Gonzaga and an offer to play professional baseball for the White Sox.
“At this point, the 47th round, I’ve got this college future. Education is important to me,” Yallen said. “I’ve got my heart set on going to college.”
His high school coach Scott Drootin said he would prefer to see his players pursue an education first, but Yallen brings a rare combination of speed and defense that might surprise some in the pro ranks.
“It depends on what kind of commitment the White Sox are willing to give him,” Drootin said. “ Jordan ’s mature enough. If he really wanted to go, he should give it a try.”
Drootin said Yallen, an outfielder at Golden Valley , is a similar player to Brett Butler, who used to play centerfield for the Dodgers. He is a tough out, surprisingly fast and a pesky hitter. “He might be a player that would shock a lot of pro guys,” Drootin said.
Yallen went late in the draft. He was the last player from the Santa Clarita Valley taken in the 50-round draft. Eleven players from the Santa Clarita Valley were taken. Of those eight, eight were college players. “I’m honored. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” Yallen sa id. “I’m really honored to have that privilege.”
Yallen was one of three high school players from the Foothill League who were selected in the three-day draft.
Cade Kreuter, a third baseman at Hart High School , was selected in the 41st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kyle Hooper, a right-handed pitcher from Saugus High School , was taken in the 28th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hooper is expected to play at UC Irvine next year instead of signing with the Pirates.
White Sox select Gonzaga-bound local teen.
