CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland baseball sophomore left-hander
Sam Ballard was selected by the San Diego Padres in the Wednesday's 28
th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball amateur draft. The second-year Cobra signed with Washington State University on April 10 and has until July 15 to sign with the Padres.
"Sam is a high energy, hardworking, highly competitive athlete," said head coach
Jon Goebel of the Cobra lefty. Sam deserves every opportunity that comes his way. It was a joy coaching him the last 2 years."
As a sophomore in 2019, Ballard made seven starts over 11 appearances for Coach Goebel's squad with a 4-3 record and 5.35 ERA. In his seven starts, Ballard showcased an ability to put away batters with eight or more strikeouts in four starts and owned an 11.97 strikeout-per-nine rate overall.
With Parkland facing elimination in the Region 24 Tournament, Ballard tossed five innings with four strikeouts in a 22-4 run-rule victory against Danville Area on May 19 that advanced the Cobras to the regional final.
