Stanislaus standout Fleming signs with Rays

CCAA Pitcher of Year reports to Class-A affiliate on Tuesday

By KELLY JONES
kjones@modbee.com

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

TURLOCK -- Marquis Fleming looked good for four years in Cal State Stanislaus crimson and white.

On Sunday, the former Warriors pitcher donned the navy blue of the Tampa Bay Rays for the first time and felt pretty good wearing that color, too.

Fleming signed his first major league contract and prepared to leave Tuesday for Wappingers Falls, N.Y., where he'll report to the Class-A Hudson Valley Renegades.

Unknown - Stanislaus pitcher Marquis Fleming signing his pro contract, on to Tampa Bay.

He was drafted Friday in the 24th round, the first Warrior to get picked since pitcher Steve Andrade was selected by the Angels in 2001. Andrade is now in Durham, at Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate.

"I know they have a lot of good young talent," Fleming said. "This is what you dream of as a kid. It hasn't really hit me yet, but I am sure it will when I am there."

Fleming, the West Region and California Collegiate Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year, said he was surprised when the Rays called. He thought he'd be drafted by Kansas City or the Chicago White Sox, having had more conversations with their scouts.

He was also relieved, finally able to leave the house and take in a couple movies with his immediate future decided.

Fleming said he had minimal contact with Tampa Bay scout Carlos Delgado, who was given a tip to check out Fleming from another coach in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Delgado saw all he needed after watching Fleming pitch one time, a 1-0 victory over non-conference opponent Simpson University. Fleming pitched a complete game two-hitter, striking out 10 on April 18.

"I saw he had an idea about how pitch," Delgado said. "He's athletic. He has a good delivery, good arm action. He looked like he kept the tempo going. That's probably the most important part, something that's so underrated, being able to control the game."

Since the Rays drafted Fleming, Delgado has heard from other scouts, grumbling about Tampa Bay getting to Fleming before their clubs did. Stanislaus coach Kenny Leonesio said there were 10 scouts at the Sonoma State game on April 27 when Fleming pitched a complete game four-hitter, also striking out 10, a in a 3-0 Stanislaus shutout.

Delgado arrived at Warrior Field on Sunday afternoon with a new Tampa Bay hat and shirt for Fleming, as well as a manila envelope full of insurance information and a multi-page contract. Fleming will receive a $2,500 signing bonus and has incentives built into his contract.

Fleming was one of four draftees spotted by Delgado. He was also behind the Rays drafting Jake Jeffries, the 2005 Buhach Colony alum and UC Davis catcher, in the third round; Cal's top relief pitcher Matt Gorgen, of Clayton (14th round); and American River left-handed pitcher Jeff Lease of Oakmont (46th round). Lease signed a national letter of intent to attend Long Beach State two days before the draft.

Fleming had a banner senior year. The 6-foot, 1-inch, 180-pound right-hander from Oakland finished with 11-5 record and 2.50 ERA to help lead the Warriors to their first West Region Tournament. He threw five shutouts, struck out 118 in 115 innings and held hitters to a combined .187 batting average.

Fleming was named the Division II West Region and CCAA Pitcher of the Year, earning five CCAA Pitcher of the Week awards. He is the second member of his family to be in the major league system. Cousin Jason Bourgeois is a second baseman for the White Sox Triple-A affiliate Charlotte, N.C.

"The hard part is getting there," Leonesio said. "Now he's got to get people out."

Bee staff writer Kelly Jones can be reached at kjones@modbee.com or 578-2300.