News
Comments (4)
Signed, sealed and delivered: Barkley inks pro deal
By Zachary Braziller June 16, 2009
Alibay Barkley didn’t celebrate when he signed his contract Tuesday morning with the Los Angeles Angels. The George Washington HS standout received a few hugs and pats on the back from family members and friends. But that was it.
He didn’t want too much made out of the accomplishment of officially becoming a professional baseball player.
“There’s still a lot more work to be done,” he said.
Barkley, the power-hitting 6-foot-4, 255-pound first baseman from the Bronx, will fly out to Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday morning to join the Angels’ Single-A rookie-ball team, the Arizona League Angels.
A week ago, the 19-year-old’s future was very much in doubt, the result of failing off the GW team prior to the playoffs. By the end of the third day of the MLB amateur draft, Barkley had lost hope. Instead of following the 50th round, he hopped in a shower to wash away his disappointment.
Minutes later, his phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. The Angels took him with the last pick, 1,521 overall.
“It’s very rare to find a left-handed hitter with this type of power, size and swing,” said Greg Morhardt, the Angels’ Northeast scouting director. “Now he’s just got to go out and play. If you get a million dollars, you get a few extra chances. But if you hit, you are going to play. Everybody has to perform.”
Morhardt added: “Hopefully he’ll get out there and adapt well and I’m sure he’s going to work hard. I’m expecting he will do very well.”
Morhardt said Barkley was very happy with the contract; it was very generous for his slot, so much so that he bypassed a scholarship with St. Petersburg College in Florida. Terms of the deal were not released.
“I feel like a new person,” said Barkley, who admitted to nerves as the next phase of his life beckons.
It’s been a long and bumpy journey for Barkley since he broke onto the scene seven years ago, leading the Harlem Little League to the Little League World Series in 2002. He faced family problems and academic woes. Now, he is a professional baseball player, a personal lifelong dream.
Said Ian Millman, Barkley’s summer-league coach with the New York Nine: “He did very well for himself, all things considered. He’s overcome a lot of obstacles to get to this point. Hopefully, he can become the first player taken with the last pick in the draft to make the Major Leagues.”
He didn’t want too much made out of the accomplishment of officially becoming a professional baseball player.
“There’s still a lot more work to be done,” he said.
Barkley, the power-hitting 6-foot-4, 255-pound first baseman from the Bronx, will fly out to Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday morning to join the Angels’ Single-A rookie-ball team, the Arizona League Angels.
A week ago, the 19-year-old’s future was very much in doubt, the result of failing off the GW team prior to the playoffs. By the end of the third day of the MLB amateur draft, Barkley had lost hope. Instead of following the 50th round, he hopped in a shower to wash away his disappointment.
Minutes later, his phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. The Angels took him with the last pick, 1,521 overall.
“It’s very rare to find a left-handed hitter with this type of power, size and swing,” said Greg Morhardt, the Angels’ Northeast scouting director. “Now he’s just got to go out and play. If you get a million dollars, you get a few extra chances. But if you hit, you are going to play. Everybody has to perform.”
Morhardt added: “Hopefully he’ll get out there and adapt well and I’m sure he’s going to work hard. I’m expecting he will do very well.”
Morhardt said Barkley was very happy with the contract; it was very generous for his slot, so much so that he bypassed a scholarship with St. Petersburg College in Florida. Terms of the deal were not released.
“I feel like a new person,” said Barkley, who admitted to nerves as the next phase of his life beckons.
It’s been a long and bumpy journey for Barkley since he broke onto the scene seven years ago, leading the Harlem Little League to the Little League World Series in 2002. He faced family problems and academic woes. Now, he is a professional baseball player, a personal lifelong dream.
Said Ian Millman, Barkley’s summer-league coach with the New York Nine: “He did very well for himself, all things considered. He’s overcome a lot of obstacles to get to this point. Hopefully, he can become the first player taken with the last pick in the draft to make the Major Leagues.”
He shined at GW for two years, but left for Texas, hoping to advance his career, and came back this year when it didn’t work out. This spring he hit .500 with two home runs, three doubles and 17 RBIs in 16 league games.
“It’s going to be my biggest challenge facing better pitching and the best competition,” Barkley said. “It’s something I’ll be ready for. Everything is going to be great as long as I work hard.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com