Alex Webb could be bound for warmer climes in the not-too-distant future, after the White Rock pitcher was drafted Wednesday by the San Diego Padres.
Webb, a pitcher with the UBC Thunderbirds who played for the White Rock Tritons in the BC Premier Baseball League until 2012, was selected in the 36th round.
This past season, Webb – an electrical engineering major at the Point Grey campus – was named an Academic All-American, as well as the NAIA West pitcher of the year.
He finished the season with a win-loss record of 10-3, and had a 2.15 earned-run average.
Webb was chosen four rounds after his teammate, Connor Lillis-White, who was picked in the 32nd round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The pair were the 19th and 20th players in the history of the UBC program to be drafted by a Major League Baseball club.
Webb could not be reached by Peace Arch News’ deadline Thursday morning.
With two year of college eligibility left, the six-foot-two right-hander will have to decide whether to turn pro with the Padres or stay at UBC for his senior season.
“No matter what (Alex) chooses to do, he has put himself in a great position with all of his hard work, both on the field and in the classroom,” UBC baseball coach Terry McKaig said Wednesday afternoon.
Webb, along with Jeff Degano, are also the latest in a long line of Triton alums to be selected in the MLB Draft, though they’re the first since 2009, when Chad Stang and Kyle Dhanani were both chosen by the Brewers. The Brewers’ local scout at the time was Peninsula resident Marty Lehn, who now serves at the Tritons’ GM.
Though he’s currently not affiliated with an MLB club – he was a scout with the Philadelphia Phillies last season – Lehn has seen plenty of Webb over the years, and says he has a bright future.
“Sometimes, I think people get so hung up on what round you were picked, but I don’t think they realize just how many great players are out there – so many talented players don’t get chosen at all,” Lehn said.
“It’s great to see Alex drafted – he has a lot of upside.”