Pitcher Brad Pautz might feel more at home next year if he signs a deal with the Minnesota Twins. Pautz learned Tuesday he was drafted in the sixth round of the amateur baseball draft and is still in the process of discussing terms with the organization.
Teammate Craig Selander could have a future with Pautz beyond college, assuming the two juniors make the same decision about leaving school early. The Twins drafted Selander in the 27th round on Wednesday, while the Oakland A’s took pitcher Jason Dobis in the same round. Selander hasn’t discussed terms of his deal.
Talks between Pautz and the team could be finalized today. As for what they have already discussed, Pautz said he could not talk about how much money is on the table, but called the deal “all right.”
First baseman Robb Quinlan has not received word from any team yet. The draft is through 50 rounds, and it’s possible Quinlan was selected by one of the 30 Major League teams and not notified yet.
— Sarah Mitchell
Men’s track has tough day
The Minnesota men’s track and field team had what it considers a disappointing day in Buffalo, N.Y., at the NCAA Championships.
Vaulters Tye Harvey and Vesa Rantanen struggled in the pole vault — an event they’ve combined to place first or second in twice at nationals. This year, Harvey placed eighth and Rantanen didn’t crack the top 10.
Senior captain Rick Obleman had his championships end early Wednesday as well, when he finished seventh in his heat of the 3000-meter steeplechase.
“He didn’t have a real poor race, but he didn’t have the type of race he needed to move on,” assistant coach Steve Plasencia said.
The rough outing — in which Minnesota earned one point toward the team competition — left Plasencia sounding glum.
“All in all, we didn’t have a real good day today,” Plasencia said.
The lone athlete left for the men is Staffan Strand, who will compete in the high jump today.
Unlike the veteran men’s squad, neither Aubrey Schmitt nor Nicole Chimko — the two members of the women’s team at the championships — are beyond their sophomore year in school.
Schmitt was in action Wednesday in the discus, but failed to place in the top eight. That result was not a surprise, as she was the 17th qualifier in the event.
Chimko and Schmitt still have the javelin and shot put, respectively, on their calendars. Of the pair, Chimko holds the best chance of placing in the top eight. She qualified sixth in the javelin, and hasn’t lost a javelin competition since April.
The women’s portion of the competition will continue through Saturday, while the men’s efforts will be over with Strand’s event today.
— Jim Schortemeyer