Canterbury's Sam Keating drafted, will sign with Padres

Adam Regan | The News-Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Ranking Lee County's top high school baseball pitchers A number of Lee County high school baseball teams will hinge their playoff hopes on their aces. Here are four that could carry their teams all the way to the state tournament.

It was going to take an extraordinary offer from whichever team drafted Sam Keating for the Canterbury School right-handed pitcher to forgo his two-year commitment to Clemson University.

The San Diego Padres, who selected him in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, made him an offer he just couldn't refuse. Keating said he reached a deal in principal with the Padres and will turn pro.

"The Padres made me an offer that will change my life for the better," Keating said. "It's a great day for my family. It took something really important for me to forgo Clemson. I can't thank the Clemson coaching staff enough for everything. This is the best decision for me.

"It'll be a day I'll always remember."

The News-Press Player of the Year, who was taken with the 108th overall pick, led the Cougars to back-to-back Class 3A championships the last two seasons. In his senior year, the Florida Dairy Famers 3A Player of the Year went 11-1 on the mound with a 1.06 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

Keating pitched just one inning in Canterbury's 7-4 state semifinal victory over Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin due to pain is his neck after sleeping awkwardly a few nights prior and didn't pitch in the state final.

"I couldn't be happier for Sam, his family and the Canterbury community," Cougars coach Frank Turco said. "It's an awesome day to be a Cougar."

San Diego worked out the righty with a fastball in the low 90s at Bradenton IMG Academy.

Canterbury repeats as state champions Canterbury celebrates the second of back-to-back state titles after a 4-1 victory over University Christian in a Class 3A final at Hammond Stadium.

MLB lists the slot value for the 108th selection at $497,000. Keating wouldn't reveal the exact signing bonus figure he expects to receive.

Turco said his expectations for Keating in the professional ranks are sky high.

"He's going to work and be an organizational guy," Turco said. "He's going to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues or be on the fast track to it in two to three years. He's going to be a major leaguer."