Dana Hills senior pitcher Marrick Crouse was on a break between classes with teammate Zach Wolf just past 9 a.m. June 9 when he began receiving text messages from friends and family.
Moments later, Crouse found out he had been drafted 332nd overall in the 11th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Crouse said. “All that hard work and the time you put in, you realize it paid off and a Major League team thinks you can reach that level some day.”
Crouse, who is also committed to the University of San Francisco, was Dana Hills’ ace on the mound this season and finished with a 8-4 record to go with a 1.63 earned run average and 75 strikeouts in 771/3 innings pitched.
When he wasn’t on the mound, Crouse played first base and supplied the offense with a .344 batting average and 32 hits during his senior season.
Over the past two seasons, Crouse compiled a 16-6 record with 149 strikeouts. He possesses a fastball in the low 90s and a plus curveball.
Crouse was projected as a third to sixth round pick, but he may have slipped because teams weren’t sure if he would sign or honor his collegiate commitment.
The Blue Jays felt confident in making him their 11th round pick. Crouse said he will take time to talk with family and coaches before making a decision.
“Before I make a decision I want to be 100 percent sure about it and go from there,” he said.
Also selected was Aliso Niguel ace Kyle Molnar, who was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 25th round June 10.
The right-hander, who throws as hard as 94 mph, was ranked as the 53rd best draft prospect by Baseball America but has committed to UCLA. He is not expected to sign with the Cardinals.
A scout for a West Coast major league team who requested anonymity said Molnar is the one high school pitcher who is ready, which means his minor league apprenticeship will be brisk. If he chooses college, he’ll be an instant starter as a freshman.
Molnar chose UCLA over other offers from Oregon, USC and the University of San Diego.
“Kyle has a chance to be a major impact player in our program as a freshman,” Bruin coach John Savage said when Molnar signed his letter-of-intent. “He has a tremendous fastball with a very advanced change-up.”
“It will be a difficult decision, but whatever I decide will be a good one,” Molnar said in an interview in March.
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com