Jun 14, 2007

Guinn Jr. goes to Sox

Berkeley High shortstop taken in the 10th round of draft

By Ben Enos / MediaNews

What advice did former major leaguer Brian Guinn have for his son upon learning that Brian Guinn Jr. had been drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th round of Friday's Major League Baseball amateur draft?

Keep doing what you're doing.

Guinn Jr. was the first local player to be selected on the second day of the amateur draft, going at pick 329. For the Berkeley High School shortstop, the pick wasn't totally unexpected after the White Sox flew him to Chicago on Tuesday to work out with the team.

"They showed more interest than most of the other teams," Guinn Jr. said. "They had me come out to Chicago and work out and I met the team."

Guinn Jr. said he'll have to wait and see what the White Sox offer him before choosing whether to sign a contract or attend Cal on a baseball scholarship. Until then, he said the only advice his father gave him was to keep playing the same way he always has.
Guinn Jr.'s decision is the same one Brian Guinn had to make in 1979 when he was drafted in the 30th round by the Oakland A's. Guinn eventually ended up going to Cal and was re-drafted twice before signing with the A's in 1983.

"It's a great thrill for a kid to get drafted, especially by a team he went to work out for," Brian Guinn said. "He's very excited about that."

California graduate and current University of San Diego outfielder Shane Buschini was also selected in the 10th round, going at pick 357 to the San Diego Padres.

"I was excited that I saw my name up there, all the hard work and effort paid off,'' Buschini said. "(Playing) pro baseball is a dream of mine. Most people go to an office and work. Now I'm going to work for the Padres.''

Buschini was the West Coast Conference Player of the Year. He led the WCC in batting (.418), RBI (25), total bases (55), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.696) during conference play.

In all, 12 East Bay players were taken in this year's draft. The White Sox took the most locals, taking Contra Costa College outfielder Jordan Kendall and Albany shortstop Zach Babitt in addition to Guinn Jr. The Giants also took two local players, selecting Diablo Valley College's Myles Schroder and California grad Daniel McDaniel.