Chico State Athletics

CHICO – Chico State pitcher Michael Gleason decided to sleep in on the final day of the Major League Baseball Draft, but when the phone rang Wednesday it proved to be the wake-up call of a lifetime. Fresh off an outstanding senior season that resulted in a team-high seven victories and several postseason honors including being named third team All-American, Gleason’s call was from the Boston Red Sox, informing the Wildcats’ star righthander that he was the team’s 34th round selection. Gleason becomes the sixth Wildcat player in the last six seasons to be drafted by a major league organization.

“I was kind of nervous; I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen or not,” Gleason said after receiving the call from the Red Sox. “I was talking to at least 12 teams throughout the season so I knew there was a chance. It’s amazing to be part of an organization with the history and reputation Boston has.”

“I’m excited that Michael is getting an opportunity to play at the next level,” Chico State Head Coach Dave Taylor said Wednesday. “He’s put in the time preparing himself. He took advantage of the environment here and he’s going to really help the Red Sox out. It will be fun to watch him climb through the ranks.”

Gleason, 7-3 on the year and the staff leader in strikeouts (90) and innings pitched (94), emerged as the Wildcats’ ace in 2010 after appearing in only 12 games and throwing just 21 innings his junior year. For his efforts, Gleason earned first team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and a pair of All-West Region honors before being named to the Daktronics All-America third team.

“[The Red Sox] are going to get a hard worker and a good teammate,” Taylor said of Gleason. “He was the leader of our pitching staff. He’s probably going to be thrown in with some younger guys in rookie ball somewhere, and he’ll be able to show the young pitchers the right temperament on the mound. He’s going to need that at the next level.”   

Gleason starred at Willows High School and was an All-Golden Valley Conference selection at Butte College before transferring to Chico State in 2009.

“I’ve heard great things about [Boston’s] minor league system and how they take care of their pitchers, so I’m really stoked about that,” Gleason said. “Hopefully some day I’ll have a chance to be up there with some of the great pitchers they have right now…that would be a dream come true.”

Before reporting to the Red Sox, Gleason will have to get used to wearing a “B” on his preferred headware instead of his customary “SF.” “I’ve held onto my lucky Giants hat for a long time, so I guess I’ll have to start something new,” Gleason said. “It served me well at Chico State but I think I’ll have a different hat from here on out.” 

Gleason is the first Chico State player chosen in the Major League Draft since Kyle Woodruff was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 27th round of the 2008 draft. He is also the fifth Wildcat pitcher taken in the last six seasons, joining Woodruff, Kris Krise (chosen by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2005 draft), Billy Spottiswood (Diamondbacks, 25th round in 2007) and Garrett Rieck (Indians, 29th round, ’07). The lone Chico State position player to be drafted during that time was center fielder Greg Gonzalez, who in 2005 was the 28th round pick of the Mets.