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Paul-Michael KLingsberg & Matt Hopps

Baseball

Hopps and Klingsberg Represent Toros in 2009 MLB Draft

Secaucus, N.J. -- For the second-straight year, the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team has been the first to make an appearance for the CCAA in the Major League Baseball draft as right-hand pitcher Matt Hopps was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round with utility player Paul-Michael Klingsberg getting the same call to the Minnesota Twins in the 49th round. Hopps was the 283rd pick in the draft and the first Toro and Division II player to be chosen this year.

"I was actually a little surprised," said Hopps from home after hearing the news. "I didn't want to pay too much attention to the draft tracker, so I found out from [teammate] Bret Montgomery, who texted me and said 'Congratulations.'  I didn't think I would go that early."

Hopps has been a standout pitcher in his four years in the Cardinal & Gold with a total of 41 appearances and a 10-14 record. Hopps carries a 4.81 ERA and has fanned 151 batters in his 175.5 innings pitched.

For NCAA All-American, Klingsberg the news was just as surprising. "I was still asleep and when I woke up I figured I would check the computer to see what had happened and I see my name in there," he said late this morning.

In only his first year as a Toro, Klingsberg was a standout in the five-hole while also seeing plenty of action on the mound. From the plate he connected on 76 hits, eight home runs and 21 doubles which is a top-10 mark in the CSUDH record books. Klingsberg was just as much of a threat from the mound with 6 saves and 16 strike outs in his 15.1 innings of closing duty.

For now the only question is who will sign and where they will go when their call to the "big show" arrives in the mail.

Hopps, who was a senior this past year is "definitely going to sign the contract when it comes." As he says, "I have already spoken with the White Sox and am glad to be getting a team that will give me a chance to improve."

For Klingsberg, who was drafted in 2006 to the Pittsburg Pirates but did not sign so he could pursue schooling, the choice will take more thought as he has just completed his junior year at CSUDH. "I haven't really talked to anyone about it yet," he says. "I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to go but I need to talk to my parents and coach Su'a before I decide."

Both Hopps and Klingsberg are well-recognized in the CCAA and in the West Region with Hopps being named CCAA Freshman of the Year in 2005. This past year Klingsberg made a permanent name for himself with a 1st-Team All-American nod, three 1st-Team West Region awards and a 1st-Team All-CCAA spot.

The two picks for the Toros mark the first time since 2003 that CSUDH has had two players called in the MLB draft.

The CCAA was well represented in the draft this year with 10 overall picks. Aside from Hopps and Klingsberg, fellow CCAA players were: Dakota Watts (CSUS, RHP, 16th, Twins), Travis Tartamella (CSULA, C, 19th, Cardinals), Erick Carillo (CSUSB, RHP, 19th, Marlins), Bradley Wilson (CPP, RHP, 33rd, Diamondbacks), Isaac Morales (CSULA, LHP, 34th, Marlins), Kyle Loretelli (CSUS, OF, 38th, Padres), Eric Federico (CSUS, RHP, 39th, Rockies) and Gary Moran (SSU, RHP, 41st, Giants).
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