Tampa Bay drafts Bishop Gorman star

Richard Brian / Special to the Sun

Bishop Gorman’s Jeff Malm bats during the 4A state championship baseball game against Cimarron-Memorial on May 23. The Gaels were victorious 3-1 for the fourth straight state title. Malm struckout four of the five batters he faced in pitching the final 1 and 2/3 innings for the save.

By Steve Silver

Published Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | 1 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | 4:01 p.m.

Richard Brian

Pitcher Jeff Malm, a USC recruit, was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth round of the 2009 MLB Entry Draft on June 10.

Richard Brian

Bishop Gorman pitcher Jeff Malm pitches during an intramural practice at Paul Meyer Park on Feb 18. The Gaels opened the season as the No. 1 team in the nation and went on to capture their fourth consecutive state championship.

Jeff Malm's professional baseball dreams are now one step closer to becoming reality.

The defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays selected the Bishop Gorman pitcher/first baseman Wednesday in the fifth round (No. 169) of the 2009 MLB Entry Draft.

"I'm really excited," Malm said. "They are a great organization with a great farm system. They are really good at developing players, too. I'm excited to have this opportunity."

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Malm helped lead the Gaels to its fourth consecutive 4A state championship this season, batting .564 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. On the mound, he was 11-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 87 strikeouts.

Malm has already signed a college scholarship with USC, but he can opt out the commitment if he signs a professional contract with Tampa Bay. The deadline for that decision is Aug. 15.

"The uncertainty of not knowing where you are going makes you feel real uncomfortable," Malm said. "Now we can move forward and start negotiating. We will try to work something out and if not, I have a great option at USC still."

Malm, who tied the all-time national high school career hit list with 277, did have hopes of hearing his name called in the first three rounds of the draft Tuesday.

Despite falling into the second day, Malm remains positive about his future in the majors.

"You never know with these kinds of things and a lot of different emotions go through you," Malm said. "I never got too down on myself. Today I was fortunate enough to get picked pretty early and I'm happy with this opportunity."

In addition to Malm, several other local athletes were selected on the second day of the MLB Draft.

The Los Angeles Angels picked Durango High School senior pitcher Daniel Reynolds No. 201 overall in the sixth round.

The Toronto Blue Jays took College of Southern Nevada pitcher Egan Smith No. 220 overall in the seventh round.

Former Centennial star and current University of Georgia catcher Bryce Massanari went No. 901 overall in the 30th round to the Colorado Rockies.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.