Kyle Heckathorn officially will begin a new job Monday after signing a professional baseball contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
The former Ringgold High School and Kennesaw State University star pitcher will report to Helena, Mont., where the Brewers' short-season rookie league team is based. First, though, he will attend Milwaukee's weekend series with the Atlanta Braves and be introduced to the fans today.
"It's going to be really exciting to go to Milwaukee and see the ballpark and meet the players and fans," said Heckathorn, who was the team's second pick and the 47th overall selection in the recent Major League Baseball first-year player draft. "I'm excited, but I'm also a little nervous. I just feel blessed to have this opportunity."
Two major factors led to Heckathorn's signing, according to agent Victor Menocal of Career Sports & Entertainment. First, the Brewers agreed to pay Heckathorn more than he was slotted ($776,000 instead of the slotted figure of $739,000). They also agreed to invite him to spring training next year.
"That was a big factor," Menocal said. "They haven't done that since 2003 when they drafted Rickie Weeks, so that really impressed Kyle. He's very excited about it and ready to get started."
Lindsey Young is a sports writer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press who started work at the Chattanooga News-Free Press 24 years ago. He covers the Northwest Georgia prep beat and NASCAR. Lindsey’s hometown is Ringgold, Ga., and he graduated from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. He received an associate’s degree from Dalton Junior College (now Dalton State) and a bachelor’s degree in communications from UTC. He has won several writing awards, including two Tennessee Sports ...
Victor Menocal? The former Georgia Tech shortstop who was supposed to be the next Nomar?
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