CORPUS CHRISTI - Senior Matt Holland (Phillies) and junior Todd
Simko (Nationals) of the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
baseball team have signed agreements with their respective Major
League Baseball organizations. Simko will forgo his final year of
college eligibility in order to move on to the professional
ranks.
"We're obviously sad to see Todd go," head coach Scott Malone said, "but we couldn't be more excited
for both of these players to start their professional careers. Matt
and Todd are both great young men in addition to being outstanding
players, and we are looking forward to seeing both of them spend a
long time as professional baseball players."
Both players will report to the Gulf Coast League, a rookie
organization based in Florida that has its season run from mid-June
through August. Simko heads to the GCL Nationals, who play their
home games in Viera at Space Coast Stadium. Holland heads for the
GCL Phillies, based in Clearwater.
Simko set a school record with 10 wins in his debut season for
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, going 10-6 with a 4.31 ERA and a
.249 batting average against. The Arroyo Grande, Calif., native was
named to the Southland Conference All-Tournament Team after
delivering a complete-game three-hitter against Lamar, in which the
only run he surrendered was unearned.
The southpaw was spectacular down the stretch, posting a 1.99
ERA over his final seven appearances. In that period, he went 5-0
and surrendered just 25 hits in 45 1/3 innings of work. He
delivered all three of his complete games during that string, and
punched out 30 opposing batters.
Just two years removed from an arm injury that ended his career
as a pitcher, Holland worked hard in the weight room to bulk up to
210 pounds heading into his senior season, and the results were
palpable. The Watkins, Iowa, native slugged 10 home runs, the
eighth different player in school history to do so, and matched the
school record with 20 doubles. His 149 total bases set a new school
mark as well.
A First Team All-Southland Conference honoree, Holland was
second in the league with his .391 average and 93 hits, while his
53 RBI were sixth in the conference. His .626 slugging percentage
was the second highest of all Southland players and he finished
seventh in the league with a .445 on-base percentage. He also
scored 44 runs, stole seven bases, and posted a 16-game hitting
streak at the end of the season.
