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Trio of Former Toro Baseball Players Check-In From the 'Little' Big Show

CARSON -- Three days ago, three former Toros in All-Americans Paul-Michael Klingsberg and Jon Alia, along with Matt Hopps became part of Major League Baseball as the trio traveled across the United States to continue their baseball careers in the rookie league of the MLB.

Matt Hopps
The first to go, who also was the first NCAA Division II player selected in the 2009 draft, was Hopps, who is now in Great Falls, Mont. after being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the draft.  The signing continues what has been a long and storied baseball career about 1,270 miles from the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills.

"I like it a lot up here," says Hopps after arriving in Great Falls. "You have to do a lot more real baseball work than you do in college, but it is much nicer not having to do all the field work!"

A local product, Hopps was born and raised in Torrance where he attended South HS, playing both baseball and football.  Once he decided to pursue his baseball career, he arrived to CSUDH as a first baseman/designated hitter.  After grabbing the CCAA Freshman of the Year award in 2005 for his prowess behind the plate, Hopps made the change to the mound.

Hopps enjoyed his best year from the hill in his first true year, fanning 53 batters in 60.1 innings of duty, combining for a 4.18 ERA and 5-5 record.

Now one of four new pitchers in Montana and going up against 11 returners, Hopps will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to make the starting rotation.

"It is going to be a lot of work," he closes. "They want us to constantly throw bullpens and make sure that our arms are strong, but even with all the work I am definitely going to like it.

Paul-Michael Klingsberg
The Toros' other draftee this season, Klingberg is no stranger to the big leagues after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006, straight out of Notre Dame HS in his hometown of Studio City.  Not taking that call, Klingsberg played two seasons at Pepperdine before transferring to the Carson campus for the 2008 campaign.

In only one year as a Toro, Klingsberg became not only a force from the plate with 21 doubles and a .355 average, he also took on closing duties en route to six saves in 15.1 innings on the hill. He also racked up 16 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA.

His skill garnered him a 4th-team All-America selection and three 1st-team NCAA West-Region nods in addition to a 1st-team All-CCAA selection.

Having just finished his junior year, Klingsberg decided to not ignore his second calling into the majors after getting drafted in the 49th round by the Minnesota Twins.

"After already being drafted [in 2006], I felt like this time was the right time to go," he says from Elizabethton, Tenn.

The former utility player will see action mostly at first base with a little bit of outfield. "We have games pretty much every day and are always practicing," he says after three days of work. "But so far I am enjoying every bit of it."

Jon Alia
The last Toro to find his place in the majors was not drafted, but took a last minute call from the San Diego Padres and signed as a free agent.  A native of Newbury Park, Alia transferred from Grossmont Junior College to finish out his last two collegiate years as a Toro.

Setting more records in the 2009 year than any other player in all of CSUDH baseball history, the three-time 1st-team All-American and CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year was more than relieved his baseball career could continue.

"I wasn't too shocked that it was going to happen," he says from Peoria, Ariz.  "Even though I knew there was a good chance of going, when it actually did happen I was just so relieved that I didn't have to wait all summer!"

Finishing out his schooling in four years and receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Physical Education this past spring with honors, Alia closed out his academics at CSUDH, winning the CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, the first CSUDH baseball player and male student-athlete to do so.

Alia was just as stellar on the field after establishing seven single-season records including average, hits, double and home runs. He also claims two career and one single-game record, the highlight being all 10 records were set in the 2009 year.

Alia will use his baseball prowess at third base, a position familiar to Alia, who started 55 of 56 games in 2009 across the diamond at first base.

"So far it is a very cool experience," he says after enjoying the weather in Arizona for a few days. "It is very different after being a Dodger fan my whole life and now playing for the Padres, but they have a very nice facility and I am glad to be where I am."

The trio of Toros mark the first time in 14 years that CSUDH has had at least three players called up to the majors. The last to go, Alia became the 62nd player in Toros baseball history to sign with a Major League Baseball team.  Of those, five saw action in the pros, the last being Craig Grebeck in 2001 with the Boston Red Sox.
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