GaryMrMets
06-11-2003, 01:28 AM
College Coach Upset With Royals
RENO, Nev. -- University of Nevada's baseball coach is criticizing the Kansas City Royals for signing one of his pitchers, claiming the team ignored the player's best interests.
The Royals signed free agent J.T. Sherman, a junior right-hander not selected in last week's 50-round major league amateur draft.
Gary Powers, in his 20th year at Nevada, said he was angry and disappointed when he found out about the signing.
"That's the first time I've ever had a major league organization go into a junior's house after not drafting that player, offer him relatively nothing and then sign him like that,'' Powers was quoted as saying by the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I don't think they acted in the best interest of the kid.''
The Royals defended the signing.
"He is a 22-year-old who obviously made a decision that this is the direction he wants to go,'' said Deric Ladnier, senior director of scouting for the Royals.
RENO, Nev. -- University of Nevada's baseball coach is criticizing the Kansas City Royals for signing one of his pitchers, claiming the team ignored the player's best interests.
The Royals signed free agent J.T. Sherman, a junior right-hander not selected in last week's 50-round major league amateur draft.
Gary Powers, in his 20th year at Nevada, said he was angry and disappointed when he found out about the signing.
"That's the first time I've ever had a major league organization go into a junior's house after not drafting that player, offer him relatively nothing and then sign him like that,'' Powers was quoted as saying by the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I don't think they acted in the best interest of the kid.''
The Royals defended the signing.
"He is a 22-year-old who obviously made a decision that this is the direction he wants to go,'' said Deric Ladnier, senior director of scouting for the Royals.