Muncy Jumps at Offer to Sign With Phillies : Baseball: Ventura College infielder who spurned Yankees in ’91 now believes he is ready.

Mike Muncy had a chance to be a New York Yankee two years ago. But he decided not to sign after being drafted in the 10th round as a Camarillo High senior. On Friday, Muncy, a Ventura College middle infielder, was drafted again, this time in the 30th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. He signed Saturday.

Muncy, 20, will depart for Martinsville, Va., Monday morning to join Philadelphia’s rookie league affiliate there. Muncy said there were a number of reasons he didn’t sign in 1991 and instead took a scholarship to Arizona State.

“I really didn’t know which way I wanted to go,” he said. “But now I know that I want to go pro and do what it takes to make it. I’m happy to be picked.”

Until this season, Muncy (6 feet, 165 pounds) said he couldn’t hit a curveball. But since a doctor prescribed eye exercises last summer, he’s now hitting the curve.

“I have more confidence going up there,” said Muncy, who also was drafted last season by Kansas City in the late rounds. “In high school, I think I had one hit on a breaking ball. Also, I’m more mature now.”

Phillies scout Dave Sirak said he classifies Muncy, who batted .375 with a school-record 27 stolen bases for Ventura, as a leadoff hitter who could advance quickly.

“He has better-than-average speed and he makes good contact. Once he gets on base, he’s a daring runner,” Sirak said.

In other developments, Crescenta Valley third baseman Brendon Cowsill was startled Friday when the Angels called and said they chose him in the 34th round. After batting .360 with four home runs, Cowsill (6-0, 170) received no college offers. The last thing he expected was to be drafted.

“I’m surprised and really, really happy,” said Cowsill, 18. “It’s definitely an honor. “But I’m really not sure what’s going on yet. All I’ve heard is that I’ve been picked.”

Tighe Curran, a left-handed pitcher for Ventura College, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 47th round. Curran, a graduate of Newbury Park High, was a member of the 1992 Newbury Oaks team that won the American Legion World Series. Curran was 7-7 this season with a 4.66 earned-run average and 79 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings.