Packer signs with Indians

As one player departed Virginia’s baseball program prematurely, another confirmed his commitment to wear orange and blue.
In an expected move earlier this week, left-handed pitcher Matt Packer inked a contract with the Cleveland Indians, ending a stellar career at Virginia that included the honor of leading the nation in earned run average in 2008.
“It was a hard decision,” Packer said. “A couple days before I signed, I didn’t sleep much. I was talking to a bunch of people and trying to figure out what to do. I had a big decision to make and I ended up picking the one that I thought was best for my baseball career.
“Hopefully in the long run I made the right decision.”
Luckily for Virginia coach Brian O’Connor, an heir apparent, right-hander Brandon Kline appears committed to play college baseball despite being selected in the sixth round by the Boston Red Sox.
One of five incoming players that was drafted in June, Kline was the highest player selected. Infielder Stephen Bruno (26th round, New York Yankees), shortstop Reed Gragnani (27th, Boston), first baseman Robert Amaro (40th, Philadelphia) and catcher Kenny Swab (48th, Cincinnati) were also selected.
MLB teams have until midnight Monday to agree to terms with the players that they selected, but Kline does not expect another offer from the Red Sox.
“It was definitely a tough decision at the end, but in the beginning when it all started out I told them that I would most likely end up going to school,” Kline said. “That was basically my mindset from the beginning and nothing really changed that.
“It was a tough decision, but in the long run it was kind of an easy one I guess you could say.”
For now, Virginia coach Brian O’Connor remains in a self-proclaimed “wait-and-see mode” with his incoming drafted players.
It is par for the course leading one of the nation’s premier programs.
“The nature of college baseball recruiting and the draft obviously presents its challenges,” the skipper said.
Packer was assigned to the Mahoning Valley Scrapers, a short-season class A team in the New York-Penn League. He expects to make his debut this weekend as a reliever, capping off a summer that included an ACC title, a trip to the College World Series and stellar numbers in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
“It will probably hit me when I come in out the pen,” he said. “I will just be like, ‘Wow. What else do I want to throw this summer?’”
While knowing he will need a pitcher to emerge as a reliable reliever in Packer’s absence, O’Connor said he was elated that the Tennessee native could pursue his dream of playing professional baseball.
“I am extremely excited for Matt. He was outstanding in our uniform for three years as a starter and a reliever,” O’Connor said. “He has a great opportunity with the Cleveland Indians. I know he will have a successful career, but through our recruiting we anticipate losing our players after their third year.
“We prepared for this and it presents new opportunities for other players.”
Kline, who said he is 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, hopes to become a starter on Virginia’s staff to help ease the load of losing Packer.
“As long as I get to play, that really is all that matters,” said Kline, who is from Frederick, Md. “In my mind I can be a starter or a closer, but I know that Kevin [Arico] has the closer role.
“I have always been a starter and I think that is the best spot, but we will see what they have in mind. Hopefully I can contribute and we will be even better this year and make a trip back to Omaha. That is definitely the plan.”