Two Signees Choose Oral Roberts over MLB

Alex Gonzalez and Brandon King were both selected by the Baltimore Orioles, but did not sign with the club by the deadline.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:54 am

By: News On 6

Two Signees Choose Oral Roberts over MLB

Originally Published: Aug 17, 2010 7:13 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Baltimore Orioles draft picks and ORU signees Alex Gonzalez and Brandon King have decided to play for the Golden Eagles rather than sign a contract with the MLB club.

Gonzalez was selected in the 11th round by Baltimore and becomes the highest-drafted high school player to play at Oral Roberts since 1978 when Mike Moore chose to not sign with St. Louis. The freshman right-handed pitcher hails from Boca Raton, Florida and led the Florida Legends to an appearance in the Connie Mack World Series with an 8-2 record and a 0.87 ERA.

A junior college transfer, King was selected in the 13th round by the Orioles after earning Central Valley Conference MVP honors while playing with Fresno City College. In 40 games during his sophomore season, King drove in 31 runs and hit eight home runs, along with 13 steals on 15 attempts.

Oral Roberts will welcome 18 new players in 2011 to join the 15 returning letterman from an NCAA Tournament squad.