Two former Point Loma High School baseball players realized their dreams when they were selected by professional teams in the recent Major League Baseball amateur draft.
Campbell Wear (class of 2011) and Connor Baits (class of 2012) chose to attend University of California Santa Barbara, a decision that paid off.
The Gauchos, who were ranked nationally, saw a record 10 players from their squad drafted, led by pitcher Dillon Tate, who was chosen fourth overall by the Texas Rangers.
Wear, the son of Byron and Bridget Cantu Wear, heard his name called in the 27th round by the Colorado Rockies. The 6-3, 205-pound catcher threw out 13 of 18 runners attempting to steal while recording 22 runs batted in at the plate.
Baits is the son of Daniel and Terri Baits. The 6-6, 225-pound right-handed pitcher was taken in the 33rd round by the Milwaukee Brewers after completing his junior season at UCSB with a 4.32 earned run average over 16.2 innings.
Wear was assigned to the Grand Junction (Colo.) Rockies of the rookie Pioneer League, while Baits is playing for the Arizona Brewers in the Arizona League.
When reached last week, Wear had just arrived in Idaho Falls, Idaho, after an eight-hour bus ride he said “wasn’t so bad.” His Rockies began league play there before busing back to Colorado for their home opener earlier this week. The season runs until Sept. 8.
“Catching for Tate and a premium pitching staff” was a factor Wear says helped in his selection. The Gaucho staff finished the season with a remarkably low 2.45 earned run average.
“It was definitely a surprise,” Wear said of his selection by the Rockies. “I had never met their area scout but just filled out some questionnaires. Then, during the 15th round, they called and said, ‘We’ve got you on our board.'”
When the draft call came later, Wear recalled, “The first thing I did was call my mom and dad, my brother and girlfriend. It was a special moment.”
The facilities and people of Grand Junction have impressed Wear.
The field surface, clubhouse and stadium have benefited from recent upgrades. The team averages 3,000 to 4,000 fans a game in their 7,000 seat facility, big numbers for a rookie league team.
“There’s a lot of excitement in town,” he said, “with signs welcoming the players.
“We receive $25 a day for meals,” Wear said, noting players live with teammates in hotels. “It’s definitely a different environment than college,” he notes.
And the schedule, during searing summer heat, will also be a challenge.
“We only have four days off the entire season,” Wear said. Also, many long bus rides lie ahead, as the league has teams in Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Colorado.
Wear had an odds-defying start to his career last weekend when, playing in his first game, he hit a solo home run in his first at-bat. He also drove in a run in his second plate appearance, leaving him with a perfect 1.000 batting average and two RBIs.
For Baits, there are similarities and significant differences.
As a prep standout, he pitched in showcase events at Yankee Stadium and Angels Stadium. He was also drafted out of PLHS (23rd round by the New York Mets) but opted to stay in school.
“I wanted to go to college first,” Baits said, “and after three years of college, I was drafted and thought the time was right to move on and start my career. I’m better suited for professional baseball now.
“Both my parents were very supportive of me starting my career,” he said. “They’re very excited and plan to see some of my games.”
There will be no long bus rides for Baits, since Arizona League teams use the same Phoenix-area spring training facilities used by their major league teams during the exhibition season. The 56-game season will be played in the well-maintained stadiums of each team, rarely at temperatures below 100 degrees.
Because of the proximity of their opponents, Brewers players live and are fed daily at the team complex, with fresh fruit and protein shakes always available.
Used primarily in relief by the Gauchos, Baits hopes to use his fastball, which tops out at 95 miles per hour, to show the Brewers he is a starter.
“I think they’re going to give me an opportunity to start, which is my preference,” Baits said. “The minor leagues are all about development. I want to get the ball every week and progress.”
His days at UCSB were valuable in many ways.
“Through college,” he said, “one thing I’ve gained is how to react to adversity. I’ve learned to respond better and keep my head up… not to let it affect my next pitch or my life outside of baseball. At the end of the day, I think I’m a better person and pitcher.”
Both former Gauchos are grateful to be living their dream.