Dalton Erb's Chico State baseball career consisted of just one season and a grand total of 16 games, but his success on the mound wearing the Wildcat colors in 2016 was more than enough to vault the junior right-hander into the professional ranks. Erb officially joined the San Diego Padres organization Saturday when he selected in the 30th round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft.
"We're extremely happy for Dalton," Wildcat Head Coach Dave Taylor said following Saturday's announcement. "When we talk to recruits, we stress how the program gives them the opportunity to compete for championships and a chance to move on to play professional ball. I'm excited that (in Dalton's case) we were true to our word."
"I'm really excited; it's a dream come true," Dalton said Monday from Arizona, where he'll spend some time at the Padres' spring training facility in Peoria before being assigned to one of the organization's minor league affiliates. "I'm proud of what I accomplished in my one year at Chico State, and thankful for the time I got to play for Coach T. I had an awesome time playing for the Wildcats."
Erb started 15 games for Chico State in 2016, and in what would turn out to be his lone season as a Wildcat, fashioned a 6-3 record and a 3.62 earned run average, striking out 70 batters in 82 innings of work.
Erb's finest moment on the mound as a member of the 'Cats came on April 24 when he tossed a three-hit shutout while striking out 11 against Sonoma State.
Erb's efforts in 2016 earned All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Honorable Mention and established the 6-8 righty as one of the 'Cats' key hurlers heading into his senior 2017 season.
Instead, the product of North Torrance will be plying his considerable talents in the pros.
"With the team we have coming back next season, Dalton really wanted to return (for his senior year) and be part of it," Taylor said. "The Padres made him an offer too good to turn down, though, so we wish him good luck and will definitely be following his progress over the next few years."
Prior to the MLB Draft, Erb was set to pitch in the summer collegiate West Coast League. In his only appearance for the Victoria HarbourCats, Erb started the opening night game June 7 and carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and a no-hitter into the eighth. He allowed just one hit and struck out 13 to earn the win in the HarbourCats' 11-1 victory over the Wenatchee AppleSox.
Erb joins former Wildcat pitchers Nick Baker (single-A Visalia Rawhide) and Troy Neiman (single-A Modesto Nuts) who are currently playing in affiliated minor league ball. Two other 'Cats hurlers, Luke Barker (Traverse City Beach Bums) and Kagen Hopkins (Schaumburg Boomers) are playing professionally in the independent Frontier League.
Wildcats chosen in the MLB draft during Head Coach Dave Taylor's Tenure
2016: Dalton Erb – 30th round – San Diego Padres
2014: Nick Baker – 29th round – Arizona Diamondbacks
2011: Kevin Brahney – 11th round – Boston Red Sox
2011: Adrian Bringas – 46th round – Kansas City Royals
2010: Michael Gleason – 34th round – Boston Red Sox
2008: Kyle Woodruff – 27th round – San Francisco Giants
2007: Billy Spottiswood – 25th round – Arizona Diamondbacks
2007: Garrett Rieck – 29th round – Cleveland Indians
