UCSB pitchers Jesse Meaux and Kevin Gelinas will return to the baseball team for the 2011 season after the deadline for Major League Baseball teams to sign their draft picks passed late Monday night.
Jesse Meaux has decided to return to UCSB next season.
Gelinas and Meaux were the remaining two players who had not signed deals from a June draft class that saw six Gauchos picked. The left-handed Gelinas was drafted in the 44th round (No. 1322 overall) by the New York Mets after posting a 3.60 ERA and six strikeouts in five innings. The junior pitched in just four games last season due to injury.
Meaux, who was an All Big West Honorable Mention selection, heard from the Philadelphia Phillies close to the deadline on Monday evening and upon hearing their final proposal, decided to return to the Gauchos for his senior year. Meaux was chosen in the 44th round by Philadelphia with pick No. 1341.
“It’s a little disappointing but it could be good in the long run because I’m going to finish up my college and I’m going to spend my senior year with all my buddies,” said Meaux, who went 8-3 with a 4.41 ERA last season for UCSB. “It will be a great year, there’s no doubt about that.”
Meaux just completed a terrific summer that saw him pitch in both the Cape Cod League and the California Collegiate League. The Glendale, Calif. native was an All-Tournament selection during the National Baseball Congress World Series after pitching for the Santa Barbara Foresters.
“We’re excited to have both Jesse and Kevin back,” said Associate Head Coach Tom Myers. “The combination of them with our other pitchers and talented recruiting class will give us plenty of strong options throughout the upcoming season.”
Meaux and Gelinas were two of six UCSB players drafted. The others – Mario Hollands, Matt Valaika, Sam Phippen and Gunnar Terhune – all have signed contracts with their respective Major League Baseball organizations.
