Rob Scahill drafted in 8th round, signs with Colorado Rockies

A month back Rob Scahill was an average college kid, living the average college life. He went to class just like everybody else. He had a major, criminal justice. As a pitcher on the baseball team there may have been a few extra perks but nothing too out of the ordinary.

After being selected in the eighth round of this year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies, it seems safe to say the word “average” can be dropped when reffering to Scahil.

“It is a dream come true,” Scahill said. It just shows that hard work and dedication does pay off.”

For Scahill, it paid off in more than one way.

Not only did the Braves’ ace cash in on a childhood dream, he literally cashed in.

A week after the draft Scahill agreed to a deal with the Rockies that included a $110,000 signing bonus.

“I dont think I am going to do anything really over the top,” the right-handed hurler said. “I will probably save almost all of it. I might take a vaction when the season is over but who knows what will happen when the time comes.”

Scahill was sent to the Rockies’ Class-A rookie affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils, and will play his home games in Pasco, Wash.

The “average” college kid may be nervous about taking the next step in their life, but Scahill said he is ready to take his baseball career to another level.

“I am very happy with this organization,” he said. “I have heard alot of great things about them and am looking forward to experiencing them first hand. They are trying to build a winning organiztion and I am very happy to be part of the equation.

“I feel very thankful to have the opportunity to do someting that not many people get the chance to do. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid and to have it come about I feel very fortunate.”

Scahill ended his final season on the Hilltop with 4.05 ERA, a 3-3 recrod, a team-high 59 strikeouts and he threw the only complete game of the season for the Braves.

Coach Elvis Dominguez said he was happy to see his former pitcher take the next step.

“He worked extremely hard this past season to put himself in this position and it is great to see all his hard work pay off for him,” Dominguez told BradleyBraves.com. “He did a great job of mentoring some of our young pitchers and really showed them what great work ethic can do. We now look forward to watching him climb through the minor leagues.”

The Dust Devils began their season on Saturday but Scahill is yet to take the mound.

BRAVES BITS: Collin Brennan has signed a contract with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Independent Frontier League. … Former Braves outfielder Dan Brewer, who is playing for the Yankee’s Class-A affiliate Charleston RiverDogs, was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star team earlier this month. Brewer is hitting .323 this season including a hit off of John Smoltz.