Sparling Inks Deal with Padres

Photo by: ©JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

7/14/2021 10:38:00 AM | Baseball

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A third member of the 2021 Florida Atlantic University baseball team continues the program's pipeline to the pros, as lefthanded pitcher Matt Sparling has signed a free agent deal with the San Diego Padres.

With the Owls since the fall of 2018, Sparling overcame multiple setbacks to become a weekend rotation mainstay this past spring. He finished second on the team with 12 starts, and third with 63.0 innings and 52 strikeouts. His best start was his second outing of the year, earning Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week honors when he struck out 10 Seton Hall hitters and allowed just three hits, a walk and a run. Those 10 K's were the most by an Owl pitcher all season.

All-time, three prior former Owls have been drafted by the Padres: Mitch Morales (2014), L.J. Biernbaum (2002) and Brennan Harvey (1996). Another, R.J. Alvarez, made his MLB debut with the club in 2014.