Recruit Fields Signs Pro Contract With Detroit Tigers
8/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan baseball signee Daniel Fields, a sixth-round pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft with projected talent higher than that, announced late Monday night (Aug. 17) that he will bypass his scholarship offer to U-M and sign with the Detroit Tigers. He was slated to join the Wolverines for the 2010 season.
"All of us in the Michigan baseball program wish Daniel great success as he embarks on a very special journey in his life and baseball career," stated Wolverine head coach Rich Maloney. "He is a special kid and comes from a great family. It is tough to see him go, but we are very proud of the opportunity he has."
Fields was a headliner in Maloney's 2009 recruiting class that includes some of the most talented players in the state of Michigan. He is expected to be sent to the Tigers' Florida Gulf Coast League team later this month and could play in a few games at the end of the season before heading to the instructional league in September. He said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press that the toughest part was letting Maloney know of his decision.
"That was a very tough call to make," Fields told the newspaper. "He's definitely the main reason why I chose Michigan. I love him to death."
The Wolverines now press on in preparation for the 2010 season with 10 new faces to add to the mix.
"I can't stress enough what a great group of kids we have coming in," Maloney continued. "This is the type of class that is very, very special. Daniel was the icing on the cake, but even with his departure we have a lot of talent coming to Ann Arbor. Michigan fans are going to be very excited to see this group compete."
The class still includes a pair of MLB draftees in shortstop Derek Dennis(Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central), a 10th-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays, and speedy outfielder Patrick Biondi(Woodhaven, Mich./Dearborn Divine Child HS), who was selected by the Tigers in the 35th round. Each player passed on contract offers to join the Wolverines in a quest to reach the College World Series.
"Our ultimate goal is to get to Omaha," Maloney said. "That goal certainly has not changed. We have an outstanding class coming in to join an outstanding group of returning players as we work toward that goal for the upcoming season."
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
