Gorman’s Malm to sign with Rays

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun

Bishop Gorman’s Jeff Malm throws a strike against Reno Saturday during the American Legion state championship game at Wilson Stadium.

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 | 10:17 p.m.

Jeff Malm has made his decision.

The former Bishop Gorman baseball star agreed to a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, he confirmed in a text message Thursday night. Malm, a first baseman and pitcher, picked playing professionally over attending the University of Southern California, where he committed to play in college.

Malm said the contract was sent to Major League Baseball for approval and he hoped to sign it in the next couple days. Malm spent all Thursday in Tampa becoming acquainted with the Rays’ organization.

Malm will not play for Bishop Gorman in the American Legion World Series, which begins Friday in Fargo, N.D. Gorman, playing under the name Southern Nevada Titans for the summer, will be trying to win their second consecutive World Series.

The Rays drafted Malm in the fifth round of the MLB Entry Draft in June. The deadline for drafted players to sign a contract is Monday.