Westmont right-handed hurler Tim Crabbe was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourteenth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
“It’s exciting,” said Crabbe about the selection. “There are still a lot of questions. I have more years of (college) eligibility so I need to negotiate with the Reds tomorrow and over the weekend. I’ve got to look at every situation. I’ll talk it over with my parents and make a decision.”
After sitting out most of the 2008 season due to an injury, Crabbe struggled at the beginning of 2009 to get his form back. But as the season progressed, so did Crabbe’s performance on the mound. In the final start of his junior year, Crabbe turned in a complete game 4-2 victory against Azusa Pacific. The resident of Tucson, Arizona retired 19 consecutive batters while allowing one earned run on three hits.
With a fast ball consistently in the low to mid 90s, Crabbe attracted attention not only from the Reds, but also the Angles, Cardinals and Phillies. But it was the Reds that pulled the trigger with the 419th overall selection.
“I talked with the Reds this morning while the draft was going on,” said Crabbe. “One of the things they want to know is if you want to sign. If there is no way you are going to sign they won’t draft you because they don’t want to waste a pick. I was on the phone with the Reds and some other teams. Once the Reds decided to take me, I got a call from Rex De La Nuez, the area scout that had seen me throw. After the selection, he congratulated me and let me know how everything was going to workout.”
On Sunday, Crabbe pitched his first game as a member of the Santa Barbara Foresters, reigning champions of the National Baseball Congress. Crabbe allowed just five hits in the seven inning affair and produced a complete game shutout over the San Diego Waves. While Crabbe fanned eight batters and allowed just one walk, the Foresters put up six runs to claim the victory.
“Going into the seventh inning, I had thrown a decent amount of pitches but I told them I felt good and could finish the game for them,” said Crabbe.
While the Reds would like to sign Crabbe in the next few days, Crabbe wants to give the decision proper consideration. “I don’t want to rush it. Technically I have until August 15th which is the last day you can sign. I want to make sure all the bases are covered.”
