Transition period takes place for UCI

Former UC Irvine baseball standouts Matt Summers, Brian Hernandez and Drew Hillman have signed professional contracts and are continuing their careers in the minor leagues, UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said Friday.

Gillespie said shortstop D.J. Crumlich, a second-team All-Big West Conference performer as a junior in 2011, is likely to return to school after being drafted in the 38th round by thePittsburghPirates.

Jordan Leyland, a junior designated hitter and first baseman last season, is playing in the Cape Cod League, hoping to induce a contract offer from Tampa Bay, which drafted him in the 44th round, Gillespie said.

Gillespie said Leyland and incoming freshman John Alexander, drafted in the eighth round by Tampa Bay out of Glendora High, are the two players he will have to worry about signing before the Aug. 15 deadline.

Summers, an All-American and the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year, signed with the Minnesota Twins. Gillespie said his minor-league assignment had yet to be announced.

Hillman, who also starred at Orange Coast College, was an 18th-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies. The UCI outfielder is playing for the Phillies’ rookie league team in Clearwater, Fla.

Hernandez, a two-time first-team All-Big West performer who was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year as a third baseman in 2011, is playing for the Angels’ rookie league squad in Arizona. He was chosen in the 27th round.

Taylor Sparks, a UCI recruit out of St. John Bosco High who was chosen in the 24th round by the Cleveland Indians, is expected to play at UCI, Gillespie said.

Joining Leyland in the Cape Cod League are catcher Ronnie Shaeffer and pitcher Andrew Thurman.

Gillespie said Thurman, who will be a sophomore next season, pitched against Shaeffer, who will be a senior catcher who earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior, last week.

Shaeffer, the MVP of the 2011 Los Angeles Regional won by the Anteaters at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium, was one for 16 through Thursday, typical of what Gillespie said was a rough start offensively for all Anteaters.

“I think the position players we have out there are hitting less than .100 combined,� Gillespie said. “It’s the most amazing thing. Nobody can get a hit.�

Leyland was three for 15 and second baseman Tommy Reyes, preparing for his senior season by playing with Brainerd Lakes (Minn.) of the Northwoods League, was five for 30 with four RBIs through Thursday.

Jordan Alexander, who will be a redshirt freshman next season, was also hitless in the Northwoods League, Gillespie said.

Dillon Moyer, a freshman second baseman in 2011, had been slated to play in the Cape Cod League. But after going four for 28 in his first collegiate season, he instead landed in the West Coast League, where 13 Anteaters are competing this summer on six different teams.

UCI also has players in the New England Collegiate League (including starting pitcher Matt Whitehouse, who will be a junior) and the Hawaii Collegiate League, while former Anteaters Glenn Swanson and Josh Tavelli are coaching with the Compton-based Urban Youth Academy Barons.

Former Anteater and major leaguer Brady Anderson is the hitting coach for the Glendale Angelinos in the California Collegiate League.

Gillespie said pitcher Evan Brock, sidelined last season by shoulder surgery, was home working on a throwing program as he plans to return next season.

Crumlich, rehabilitating a shoulder injury that he played through late last season, is also not playing anywhere in the summer, as is the case with pitcher Crosby Slaught, who will be a senior next season.

Returning starting first baseman Jordan Fox and starting center fielder Christian Ramirez, who will be seniors next season, are also not playing with traditional college leagues this summer.

Gillespie said a handful of players will transfer from UCI to community college programs, including catcher-pitcher Drew Sandler (College of the Canyons), outfielder Pierce Bily (most likely Cypress), pitcher Andrew Bynum (Cypress) and outfielder Austin Walker (Glendale).