Jake Brentz Beats Deadline, Signs Toronto Blue Jays' Deal

Jake Brentz, the lefthanded pitcher from Parkway South, confirmed Friday afternoon that he had signed a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Brentz, who was selected in the 11th round of last month's draft, faced a 5 p.m. deadline to sign or to decide to play college ball at the University of Missouri.

Brentz, who came out of nowhere within the last year and a half to emerge as someone who could have been selected in one of the draft's earlier rounds, may have scared some teams away with what it would cost to give up the scholarship to Missouri. 

He called the deal reached Friday, worth around $700,000, "awesome." Toronto's ability to pay above what an 11th round pick might expect could have been helped by the fact that the team could not reach agreement with the club's first round selection.

"It's been a dream since I was a little kid," he said of playing in the majors. "It's too too good of a deal to turn down."

Brentz said he wasn't sure of his exact plans moving forward, but would expect to report to Toronto's training complex in Dunedin, FL. The Blue Jays have two minor league clubs in Florida, as well as Class A affiliates in West Virginia, Michigan and Vancouver where he could be sent next.