Marc “Bubba” Filia with his parents Stacy and Mike Saturday at the Cleveland Guardians facility in Arizona. (Photos courtesy Filia family).
Former Irvine High School and UC San Diego baseball standout Marc “Bubba” Filia made it official and signed as a free agent Saturday with the Cleveland Guardians at the team’s facility in Goodyear, Ariz.
Filia, a catcher, decided last week to accept Cleveland’s offer. As part of the agreement, the organization will cover the cost of Filia’s final year of tuition at UC San Diego. Full terms were not disclosed.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
“The event was very classy,” said Filia’s father, Mike. “Cleveland is a class organization to fly in all the families for the event.
“Paul Gillispie, the senior vice president of scouting and Scott Barnsby, the director of amateur scouting, addressed the parents before the signing. Scott then walked Bubba through the contract prior to him signing.
“We then had the chance to visit with the other members of the scouting department, including Chirag Nanavati, the area scout that turned Bubba’s name in.
“Everything this organization has done thus far has been first class. We are very excited for Bubba to start his journey with the Guardians.”
Bubba Filia, who will be working out with other Cleveland organization players in Arizona, commented on Twitter Saturday: “It’s official. Let’s do it!”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
Talented young Woodbridge athletes lead boys and girls cross country teams
Portola, led by sophomore tennis star Kenzie Nguyen, looks for another big season
PHOTOS: Irvine athletes announce future college plans during campus ceremony