Sports
August 21, 2008 09:17 PM
By: Mike Hayakawa
James Kottaras’ mother, Marie, left a set of catcher’s gear in the basement of their Markham home just in case he wanted to use it.
But the 18-year-old Milliken Mills Secondary School graduate will have nothing to do with the equipment once used by his older brother, George.
While George is a catcher with the Boston Red Sox AAA affiliate in Pawtucket, R.I., James prefers to apply his skills in the infield.
So far, his decision has paid off.
In June, Kottaras was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 45th round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft.
While elated to be considered a prospect by the National League club, Kottaras turned down the Brewers’ offer to report to their Arizona League summer club in Peoria, Ariz.
Instead, he will follow the path taken by his brother, George, who combined baseball and an education, and attend Connors State College in Warner, Okla.
The decision to take that route, Kottaras said, wasn’t difficult. If anything, he said, it served as a good bargaining chip since he signed at Connors State College prior to the major league draft.
By choosing the college route, Kottaras said he could re-enter the major league draft after his first or second year at Connors State.
The Brewers maintain his playing rights until next year’s draft.
“I was offered to play in the minor leagues, but I thought it would be a good decision to go to college, where I will get plenty of playing time and experience,” Kottaras said. “I talked with George about what I should do and I think it will work out well.”