June 11, 2007

COLLEGE BASEBALL
Taking it to the next level
San Francisco Giants draft former North Medford star McArthur in 11th round

By Kevin Goff

t wasn't the senior season Evan McArthur had hoped for, but the end result couldn't have turned out better for the Cal State Fullerton third baseman.

McArthur, despite a hand injury that hampered his production this season, was drafted 344th overall in the 11th round by the San Francisco Giants on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft Friday.

McArthur will report to a camp in Arizona for some more testing right after the close of the collegiate season, then join the Giants' short-season Single A minor league team in Salem on June 20.

"I was really nervous because I wasn't sure if I was going to get an opportunity," said McArthur. "I woke up (Friday morning) and had a couple calls saying congratulations. I jumped up and went over to the computer and saw I got drafted. It was definitely an awesome feeling."

McArthur, however, still has work to do at the collegiate level.

On Saturday, he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs to help move the Titans within one win of a College World Series berth after a 12-2 romp of UCLA in Game 1 of their best-of-three Super Regionals series. Game 2 is today at 7 p.m., and Game 3 will be played Monday, if necessary.

The World Series is played in Omaha, Neb.

"Having a taste of Omaha just makes you want to get back there again," said McArthur of the Titans appearance last season in the World Series.

McArthur's offensive production dropped off this season due to a fracture of the hamate bone in his left hand.

He batted .303 last year, but enters today's game hitting .257 with four home runs and 31 RBIs.

"I didn't really get my swing back until about three weeks ago," McArthur said. "(The injury) really hurt my numbers this year. That kinda sucks, but luckily the scouts saw what I could do last year and knew I had potential."

McArthur initially injured the hand right before the start of the season and played the first weekend series despite limited practice. He played through the pain until he finally broke the bone completely.

McArthur missed one month of time following surgery to remove the bone, then rushed back too soon to help his struggling teammates.

"We had a bunch of guys get hurt," McArthur said. "I probably pushed coming back too early and never really gave it a chance to heal.

"I lost a lot of timing (at the plate) and had no strength in my left hand. I basically had to learn a whole new swing to

McArthur and Cal State Fullerton recovered in time to secure an at-large berth to regionals, where the Titans won three straight to advance to Super Regionals.

"It was a rough year for the team," McArthur said. "We lost a lot of guys from last year and we had a lot of injuries. We were lucky to get a bid to regionals, but so far we've taken advantage of it and started playing some pretty good baseball."

McArthur, who graduated with a degree in business management, will discus terms of a professional contract once the season ends.

"I was talking to a scout and he said not to worry about the pro ball thing," said McArthur. "He said to just go take care of business, then once all that has played out we'll talk."

"I'm really excited about this opportunity," he added. "It's great I get to play in Salem so my parents can come watch me.

"All in all, this worked out pretty good."