Posted on: Thursday, June 10, 2004

Phillies sign ex-'Bow hurler

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Just like how he pitches, Clary Carlsen doesn't waste any time.

The former University of Hawai'i player signed yesterday with the Philadelphia Phillies, who picked him in the 33rd round on the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.

"I got a thousand dollars and a plane ticket," the 6-foot-1, 199-pound right-hander from Poulsbo, Wash., said of his signing bonus.

Carlsen, who transferred to UH from Edmonds (Lynnwood, Wash.) College, was 10-11 with a 4.03 earned run average in two seasons with the Rainbows. He spent his junior year as a reliever, making 23 appearances totaling 47· innings with a team-leading five saves and a 2.08 ERA. This past season, he was used primarily as a starter, going 6-8 with a 5.03 ERA.

He leaves Sunday for the Phillies training facility in Clearwater, Fla., and will either remain there or be assigned to the short-season Single-A club at Batavia (N.Y.) in the New York-Pennsylvania League, he said.

Carlsen said Tim Kissner, the Northwest regional scout for the Phillies, signed him. He said Kissner saw him pitch in two series here.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Carlsen said. "I'm excited for the chance and I can't wait to get going."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.