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June 9, 2009

WAITING GAME: Union grad John Izzo hopes to be drafted by Major League team

Kids dream about this phone call from the first time they pick up a baseball.

John Izzo is waiting for his this week.

The Union High graduate and standout first baseman for Westminster College hopes to be selected during Major League Baseball’s annual First-Year Player Draft.

“I’m not so much expecting (to be drafted) as much as I’m praying for it,” Izzo said. “I’m expecting the worst but I’m hoping for the best.”

The draft begins today with rounds 1, 2 and 3 and compensation rounds A and B. Rounds 4 through 30 will take place tomorrow and rounds 31 through 50 will follow on Thursday.

“I would be surprised if it didn’t happen,” Westminster College baseball coach Carmen Nocera said about Izzo being drafted. “He runs a 6.7 60 (yard dash) and has power. Those are two skills that will get you drafted.

“Players up north, compared to those from the south, are at a disadvantage because they don’t play year-round. They also don’t get the same exposure. I coached in Florida for six years and I’ve seen kids with less talent get drafted.”

Izzo worked out for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays in early May. However, if he doesn’t get drafted or signed as a nondrafted free agent, Izzo hopes to sign a professional contract with an independent league team.

“I’m willing to take any route,” said Izzo, who continues to play with the Summertime Heroes of the North County League. “I’m willing to play anywhere.”

Izzo batted .415 (56 for 135) this season and ranked fifth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with 56 hits, sixth in slugging percentage (.637) and total bases (86), and seventh in on-base percentage (.497) and home runs (6). He led the Titans in RBIs with 33.

In the field, Izzo led the conference with 298 putouts and 35 doubles plays with a .987 fielding percentage.

“That’s what I expected,” Nocera said. “He has great ability and a great work ethic. Those two things, plus being 6-(foot)-3, 225 (pounds) makes him a professional prospect.”

Izzo, a son Abe and Hilda Izzo of Union Township, finished his college career with school records in career hits (185), home runs (26) and RBIs (124). He was named an ECAC Division III South All-Star and selected the American Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Mideast Region’s third team.

“I had three pretty solid years, but the fourth was what I expected,” said Izzo, who graduated from Westminster last month with a sociology degree. “I started the season slow, but I picked it up after we came back from our trip to Florida.”

Izzo struck out just 18 times this season, compared to 33 during his junior year.

“That’s what we worked on,” Nocera said. “He almost cut them in half and still kept his power numbers up while also working on his pitch selection. He did a great job.

“He’s a very coachable young man.”

Izzo admits his power has become his forte.

“From what I hear, my two biggest assets are that I have a lot of power and I move well for my size,” he said. “I hear I run a lot better than other first baseman.”

Izzo originally planned to pitch in college.

“I went into college mainly as a pitcher,” he explained. “I had every intention of pitching, but I threw harder in high school.

“I had a shaky start pitching, so coach Nocera said I better start taking more swings during batting practice. We went to Florida my freshman year and I (served as the designated hitter) a couple of games.

“I’m glad I got to go to a D3 school and I’m very thankful that coach Nocera gave me the opportunity to hit.”

Nocera is keeping his fingers crossed for Izzo.

“I wish him well because he definitely deserves the opportunity,” the coach said.

“There are a lot of baseball players out there and even to be considered as a prospect to play professional baseball is quite an honor.”

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