Komine expects to sign with A's soon
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Nebraska All-America pitcher Shane Komine will arrive home today and says he expects to sign a professional contract with the Oakland Athletics before the weekend.
Komine, whose collegiate career ended Friday at the College World Series, said he would spend "a week or so" with his family in Kaimuki, get in a little surfing, and then report to the A's farm team in Modesto, Calif., to begin his professional career.
Nebraska pitching ace Shane Komine will start his professional baseball career in Modesto
He said the A's told him they would give him "a little more" than the $5,000 signing bonus they usually give to college seniors.
Money isn't important, Komine said last night. "The signing bonus doesn't mean a lot to me," he said. "I want to get out there as soon as possible."
Oakland drafted Komine in the ninth-round on June 4, the 278th player chosen in the Major League First-Year Player Draft.
Komine said he will be a starting pitcher at Modesto, which is in the California League, rated a "High A" league. "I'll pitch every fifth day, and hopefully move up through the organization," he said.
He said he has no regrets about returning to Nebraska for his senior year, even though his career ended with a disappointing outing and the Cornhuskers were eliminated from the CWS in two games.
Komine was the sixth pitcher in college baseball history to win at least 40 games and strike out at least 500 batters. His final totals were 41 wins and 510 strikeouts.
• • •
