Renteria and Hambright are taken on second day of draft

By: LANDON NEGRI and BECKY FREEMAN - Staff Writers | Friday, June 8, 2007 11:09 PM PDT ∞

Anthony Renteria
North County Times File Photo
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Anthony Renteria has spent much of his childhood in and around minor league baseball clubhouses. After Friday's turn of events, that trend could continue.

Renteria, a Great Oak senior, was selected by the Padres on the second day of the amateur baseball draft Friday, in the 32nd round (985th overall). If he signs, would join the organization his father, Rick, the former Lake Elsinore Storm manager, works for.

The younger Renteria, who was selected 27 years after his father ---- now manager at Triple-A Portland --- was the No. 1 pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, caught the high schooler by surprise.

"I had no idea I was even thought of to be drafted," Anthony said. "I just like, 'Holy smokes.'"

He also indicated he may still go to college, possibly a JC. That decision, he said, will be made after a discussion with his parents.

"The bottom line is that I need an education," Anthony said. "Even though I'd really love to play, I think we all need to consider my options."

Anthony often accompanied Rick when he managed in the Cal League, particularly on summer road trips. Should Anthony go straight to the minors, he would at least know the ropes.

"If I did go, I would feel really comfortable," Anthony said. "It's something where I just feel comfortable, and in a place I really enjoy being."

Renteria helped the Wolfpack to a CIF Southern Section Division VI championship game in 2006, and this spring, he hit .286 with four home runs.

Temescal Canyon senior Brett Hambright was also taken on the second day by Philadelphia in Round 34, as the 1,040th overall pick.

The Titans' catcher aided his team to the Southwestern League title and into the quarterfinals of the CIF SS Division II playoffs. He accumulated a .432 batting average over the season, with three home runs and 30 RBIs.

Hambright has already signed a letter of intent, along with senior teammate Matt Larkins, to play for UC Riverside next fall.

In addition to UC Riverside first-round pick James Simmons ---- who was drafted by the A's on Thursday ---- four additional UCR players were taken on the second day. Both Daniel Runzler and Jaime Pedroza were picked in the ninth round, while Jeff Dunbar and Adam Reifer got nabbed in the eleventh round.

Runzler, a left-handed pitcher and the 284th pick overall, was picked up by the Giants; Pedroza, a shortstop and the 296th pick overall was taken by the Dodgers; Dunbar, a catcher and the 345th pick overall, was drafted by the Mariners; and Reifer, a right-handed pitcher and No. 352 overall was chosen by St. Louis.