Bourquin drafted by Tigers
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Joe Frollo Jr. Repository assistant sports editor [/FONT]
Ronnie Bourquin remembers the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kindergarten. First grade. Second grade. His answer never changed.
“I’ve always wanted to be a professional athlete,” Bourquin said. “When I said that, people always said, ‘Yeah, but what
if?’ ”
No more wondering “what if.”
The Detroit Tigers selected Bourquin on Tuesday with the sixth pick in the second round (50th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft, fulfilling the childhood dream of the Canton South High School graduate and Ohio State junior third baseman.
Bourquin, 21, who should be looking at a signing bonus in the neighborhood of $700,000 to $800,000, said he will make his decision whether to sign after speaking to Buckeyes coaches later this week.
“This is absolutely my dream,” Bourquin said from his Canton Township home, fresh off finals week and surrounded by family. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity. It’s something that not everybody gets to do. Hopefully, everything will go in a good way.”
“Signing a professional contract is something I’ve always wanted to do. ... If I do decide to sign, I’ll sign as quickly as possible so I can show I’m loyal, and so I can play as soon as possible.”
Bourquin was named Big Ten Most Valuable Player this spring after leading the conference in batting average (.416), slugging percentage (.612), on-base percentage (.492), hits (91) and RBIs (66). A third-team All-America selection, he also is a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the Brooks Wallace Award, both given to the nation’s top college player.
The Tigers were happy to get Bourquin where they did.
“He kind of flew under the radar,” Tigers Vice President of Amateur Scouting David Chadd said in a conference call. “He’s a big strong physical third baseman and left-handed hitter as well. He’s got a nice approach at the plate.”
Bourquin’s father, Rocky, coached Ronnie in high school and saw the drive that helped his son develop into a four-year letterman in three different sports at South. The quarterback in football and the point guard in basketball, Ronnie never shied from a challenge.
“He’s so determined in everything he does. I saw it every day, no matter what sport or what season,” Rocky Bourquin said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he will keep working hard to get up to the big leagues as quickly as possible.”
Twelve months ago, while working his way back from a broken bone in his left thumb, Bourquin’s goal just was to come back and play every day at Ohio State. A good fall season led to strong winter workouts and his MVP spring.
“I felt very comfortable at the plate this year,” Bourquin said. “I changed my approach over the summer, and since the beginning of year, I’ve felt pitchers have had to worry about me, not me worry about what the pitcher is doing. I felt in a rhythm the whole year, a comfort zone.”
Bourquin soon will decide whether to step out of that comfort zone and take on baseball as his job. He will listen to what his family and coaches have to say, but the decision — like the dream — is his.
You can reach Repository Assistant Sports Editor Joe Frollo Jr. at (330) 580-8564 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Hoping for the show
Here is a list of players from area high schools and colleges selected Tuesday in the Major League Baseball Draft. The draft continues today:
Emmanuel Burriss, Round 1 compensation, No. 33, Giants, Kent State, SS
Ronnie Bourquin, Round 2, No. 50, Tigers, Ohio State, 3b
Chad Rodgers, Round 3, No. 100, Braves, Walsh Jesuit HS, LHP, a Kent State signee
Jedidiah Stephens, Round 8, No. 235, Orioles, Ohio State, SS Andrew Saylor, Round 13, No. 395, Marlins, Kent State 2b Ross Liersemann, Round 18, No. 545, Marlins, Akron, RHP
