ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996 TAG: 9606060067
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING AND DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITERS
Virginia Tech's Kevin Barker, recently rated by Baseball America as one of the college game's top power hitters, hopes to hit his next long ball for the Milwaukee Brewers' organization.
Barker, a junior outfielder from Mendota, was selected by the Brewers in the third round of Tuesday's major league free-agent draft. He was one of several area players drafted Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Cleveland Indians selected Ferrum College left-hander Jimmy Hamilton, a first team Division III All-American, in the seventh round.
Two other Tech players were selected Wednesday. Pitcher Brian Fitzgerald was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 20th round and reliever Charlie Gillian was picked by the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round.
Barker, whose 20 home runs this past season were an Atlantic 10 Conference record, is scheduled to meet today with a Brewers official and expected to sign a contract, according to his mother, Anna.
``Kevin was a little disappointed he wasn't picked a little higher, but that's life,'' Anna Barker said. ``The Milwaukee scout told him this was a draft of pitchers, so he shouldn't be too concerned.''
Anna Barker said she didn't foresee any contract problems between the Brewers and her son.
``This is what Kevin has wanted to do all his life,'' she said. ``He realizes he's got his foot in the door now and it's all up to him from here on out.''
Barker, who was moving out of his Blacksburg apartment Wednesday and couldn't be reached for comment, will report to the Brewers' two-week instructional camp in Arizona after signing a contract. Anna Barker said the Brewers indicated her son's professional career likely will start at the club's Rookie League outpost in Helena, Mont.
When he signs, Barker will become the 36th Tech player under Coach Chuck Hartman to ink a pro contract.
``The Brewers made a good choice in Kevin,'' said Coach Chuck Hartman, who has been at Tech since 1979. ``He's got great work ethics and he has improved every year. I think he's going to hit with power for them.''
Although Hamilton said he expected to go in the top 10 rounds, he was surprised the Indians took him. They had shown less interest in him than other teams, and his only correspondence with them was filling out a player questionnaire.
``It tickled me to death,'' he said by telephone from his parents' home in Weyers Cave. ``They're a great team and I'm ready to go. I'm not going to hold out. I'm ready to sign it.''
After his senior year at Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Hamilton was a 25th round selection of the Chicago Cubs in the 1993 draft.
Hamilton said he likely would sign a contract by the end of the week. His adviser is former Virginia Tech and Atlanta Braves farmhand pitcher Bean Stringfellow, who also works with Cincinnati Reds infielder and former Ferrum star Eric Owens.
Hamilton said he plans on reporting to a minicamp in Winter Haven, Fla., on June 10 and expects to be assigned to a minor-league team.
Hamilton went 12-2 with two saves in his junior season at Ferrum. He struck out 118 in 1082/3 innings while walking 42. He compiled a 2.73 earned run average and pitched five complete games.
Fitzgerald, Tech's all-time leader in pitching victories and strikeouts, compiled 28 wins and 271 strikeouts during his career. The left-hander from Woodbridge also established marks for innings pitched (3871/3) and most pitching starts (59). He was 7-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 1996 and posted Tech's two shutouts.
Gillian, a sidearm right-hander from Beckley, W.Va., set a Tech single-season record with 14 saves and stands as the Hokies' all-time leader in that category with 34. He posted a 2-1 record and a 1.98 ERA and was named second-team All-America by Collegiate Baseball.
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