June 8, 2007

Tigers Draft Worth

By Cary Osborne

Valencia graduate Danny Worth had a feeling it would happen this way.

The Pepperdine junior shortstop was the only Santa Clarita product taken on the first day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft when he was selected in the third round, 91st overall, by the Detroit Tigers Thursday.

"Dream come true," Worth said. "The Tigers were one of the clubs I wanted to got to the most. They've made me the happiest guy ever."

The 21-year-old said he fell in love with the Tigers organization during his junior season, as scouts and management made him feel comfortable.

Worth said he almost bought a Tigers hat a couple of days ago in preparation for the draft.

But minutes before Detroit's selection at 91, Worth received a pair of phone calls.

"The (Minnesota) Twins called me first and said they were going to take me. That made me excited. Then the (Houston) Astros called me and said they'd take me and I was pumped about that," Worth said.

The Twins had the No. 92 selection and the Astros' next pick was No. 111.

Detroit beat them to the punch.

"Then the Tigers called me and I got tingles inside," Worth said. "(They said) 'We're going to take you if that's all right.' I said, 'That's all right.'"

Worth received a lot less attention from outsiders while at Valencia because current Cal State Fullerton player Jared Clark and Pepperdine teammate Matt Aidem made bigger waves with their power at the plate and ability on the mound.

Worth, who still hit .411 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 2004, was more known for his glove.

"There wasn't a lot of focus on Danny ... but we always talked about him as the guy that would have the longest career because of how he's consistent in everything he does on the field," said then and current Vikings head coach Jared Snyder. "I don't think I've ever coached a kid with such passion and consistency and honestly he played hard every day."

He's still known for his glove.

Worth's MLB.com scouting report describes him as a "vacuum."

"(Worth) might be the most sure-handed shortstop in the draft," it continues.

In his junior season at Pepperdine, he hit .344 with three home runs and 36 RBIs.

He is one double shy of tying the all-time Pepperdine record.

He still has the option of returning to school for his senior year. If the Tigers don't sign him by Aug. 15, they lose his rights.

A third-round pick, especially a junior with options, will likely command at least a six-figure signing bonus.

Worth said he's unsure as to what he will do at this point.

The Tigers told him he would be contacted in a couple of days.

Worth marks the sixth draft pick who has played under Snyder, who himself was a two-time draftee.

He joins Jimmy Rohan, Richie Martin, Clark, Kyle Wilson and Casey Mulligan, who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 in the 22nd round.

Snyder said there are a couple others who could be picked today, the final day of the draft, including Chico State's Garrett Rieck.

Rieck, a left-handed pitcher, was 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in his senior season.

A number of other locals should go as well, including Hart graduates John Curtis and Steve Susdorf.