Two CSUN Players Sign Contracts : Vatcher, Balfanz Are Assigned to Minor League Teams

Cal State Northridge’s Jim Vatcher, who was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 25th round of the major league baseball amateur draft, signed with the team Thursday and has been assigned to its Class-A affiliate in Utica, N.Y.

Senior first baseman John Balfanz, the only other Matador drafted, was selected in the 23rd round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He has been assigned to the team’s Class-A affiliate in Springfield, Ill.

Vatcher, an outfielder, was an NCAA Division II All-American who batted .354 with 15 home runs, 49 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases. Balfanz hit .308 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Steve Wapnick, who played at Monroe High, Moorpark College and Fresno State, was selected in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He will report Tuesday to the Blue Jays’ rookie league affiliate in St. Catharines, Canada.

College of the Canyons catcher Mike Bible, a freshman, was drafted by Houston and third baseman Dan Russell of Moorpark College by Milwaukee, but the players said the Astros and the Brewers would not tell them in which round. Bible was an all-state selection who batted .492 with 15 home runs. Russell batted .415 with 22 doubles.

“They told me I was drafted on the morning of the second day,” Russell said. “So that probably would be around the 15th or 16th round. I’ll sign and go to their rookie team in Montana next week.”

Joe Summers, a Royal High outfielder, was drafted by the Blue Jays. Summers, who signed a national letter of intent to play at Loyola Marymount on April 8, said it is unlikely he will sign a professional contract. Summers batted .397 with 5 home runs and 17 runs batted in.