Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle, Jeter...Maruszak?

Addison Maruszak won't return to USF for his senior year after signing a professional contract with the New York Yankees, as reported by St Petersburg Times USF beat writer Greg Auman.
Auman reports that Maruszak said he expects to report to Staten Island, where the Yankees have a short-season rookie-league team that begins its season next week.
It's a long, winding road to the majors, but Maruszak has been drafted at a time when Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Yankee ownership seem to be committed to making a youth movement. If Maruszak can prove he belongs at shortstop during his stay in the minors, he could be a possible successor to Derek Jeter, who turns 34 this year. The Yankees' other potential shortstop, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, turns 33 this year.

Random MLB Draft thoughts

Former USF ace Daniel Thomas was picked in the 13th round by the Oakland Athletics, shortstop Addison Maruszak had his dream come true and was drafted in the 17th round by the New York Yankees, and SIX of USF's 11 signees for next season were drafted in the first 50 rounds of the 2008 MLB Draft.
It will be interesting to follow Thomas with the A's. He has overpowering velocity, but he will have to work on consistently getting guys out. Having a 91 mph fastball with control is much better than a 96 mph one with moments of wildness, that is the difference betweenThomas being a future A.J Burnett or a future John Smoltz.
As far as recruits go, nothing has been commented on their decisions to go to USF or to the pros, but catcher Adrian Nieto and LHP Anthony Ferrara went in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively, and odds are they will probably turn pro.