Brady Whalen, who recently graduated from Union High School, has earned a pretty big payday with his first job.
Whalen has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization for $475,000.
“All it took was one team to take a chance on me,” Whalen said. “It’s a really humbling experience. I give God all the glory.”
Whalen, who had signed with the University of Oregon for college baseball, instead opted for professional baseball when the Cardinals pretty much matched the number he had requested. Whalen also said baseball will pay for his his college should pro ball not work out for him.
Whalen caught the attention of pro scouts the summer after his junior season at Union. He excelled throughout the season, and particularly at the Area Code Games, which showcases the best high school players in the country.
He injured his knee the spring of his senior year — missing five games — and struggled this season with the Titans.
“I really underachieved this spring,” Whalen said. “The Cardinals came to pretty much every game, though, and they really saw what I could be in the future.”
A 6-4, switch-hitting shortstop, Whalen’s potential was bigger than a small sample size of one high school season.
Still, there were anxious moments for Whalen during Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft. He was hoping to be drafted in the first 10 rounds, which he figured would mean he would get his asking price. He was not expecting a team to pay him that much after the 10th round.
Disappointed that his name was not called, he attended his high school graduation ceremony, then his all-night party before coming home the next morning. He got about an hour of sleep before his phone alerted him that the Cardinals were on the line. He was told they would meet his request and they were about to draft him.
“My whole family watched my name being called,” on TV, Whalen said. “Just a great experience.”
Whalen signed his deal on Tuesday in Florida. By Wednesday night, he had already had two workouts as a professional baseball player.
“I’m playing with guys who are world-class athletes,” Whalen said. “I already feel like I’m getting a lot better.”
Whalen joins his brother in the professional ranks. Caleb Whalen, a University of Portland graduate, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization earlier this month. He has been assigned to the minor league team in Helena, Mont.
This makes for three Union Titans who are playing baseball professionally. Clint Coulter was a first-round selection of the Brewers in 2012.
Other players with local ties to sign with teams include Mountain View graduate Dakody Clemmer (Indians), Camas graduate Tyler Hallead (Phillies), Columbia River graduate Michael McCann (Royals) and Skyview graduate Ian Hamilton (White Sox).
