Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Goin' Pro After Signing Contracts
June 16, 2011 | Baseball
Draftees Jon Berti and Ross Gerdeman have signed professional contracts with their respective teams.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Both of Bowling Green baseball's draft picks taken in the 2011 MLB First Year Draft have signed professional contracts with their respective teams.
Jon Berti (Troy, Mich.) and Ross Gerdeman (Fort Jennings, Ohio) will forgo their senior seasons at BGSU in order to pursue their dreams to play Major League Baseball. Each signed professional contracts over the weekend and will begin playing for varying minor league affiliates of their respective parent ball clubs.
Berti was selected in the 18th round, 559th overall, by the Toronto Blue Jays last week. This marks the second time he was drafted in his career, the first time by the Oakland Athletics organization shortly after his graduation from Troy High School.
“My three years at Bowling Green was very special and I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Berti. “At this point I just had to make a decision that would better my professional career. I'll miss everyone but am really excited to begin my professional career.”
Berti will begin his career playing for the Vancouver Canadians organization, the Class A, Short-Season affiliate of the Blue Jays. The Canadians season opens at home on Friday, June 17, at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium against the Yakima Bears.
Gerdeman was a draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in the 35th round of this year's draft with the 1,054th overall selection. He will begin playing for the Diamondbacks affiliate of the Arizona Rookie League on June 21.
“I am really excited for this opportunity to progress in my professional career,” said Gerdeman. “I'm just ready to get to work and make the best of this opportunity I've worked so hard to achieve.”
Bowling Green has now totaled 43 players to be drafted in the MLB Draft since 1965. Prior to this year, Brennan Smith was the last Falcon to be drafted after the close of the 2010 season when he was selected in the 33rd round by the Detroit Tigers. The program's most notable draft picks of recent are current Major Leaguers Nolan Reimold (Baltimore Orioles) and Burke Badenhop (Florida Marlins).
Head Coach Danny Schmitz has now seen 29 of his players selected in the draft since he took the helm in 1991. Since 2000, 18 Bowling Green players have been drafted or signed a professional free agent contract.
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