ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop outfielder Daniel Carte and pitchers Kevin Slowey have signed Major League Baseball contracts with the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins, respectively, after being selected in the 2005 first-year player draft earlier this month. Both players gave up their final year of college eligibility to turn professional.
Carte (Hurricane, WV) signed a $670,000 contract with the Rockies and was assigned to the organization's Northwest League team in Pasco, Wash. He will play for the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Rockies' short-season Class A team. Carte was the fourth pick of the second round and the 52nd selection overall becoming the highest-ever Eagle drafted. The highest before Carte was pitcher Carl Dale, chosen 53rd overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1994.
Carte hit .344 this past year and set new single-season school records for home runs (19) and RBIs (73). He was named the tournament MVP after helping Winthrop win the Big South Conference tournament championship. He was a second-team All-America pick by Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Winthrop pitcher Kevin Slowey signed a $490,000 bonus contract with the Twins after being taken in the second round as the 73rd overall pick. Slowey has reported to the Twins’ Class A team in Elizabethton, Tenn.
Slowey compiled a 14-2 record in 2005 with a 2.18 earned run average and struck out 126 batters. The 14 wins tied a Winthrop single season record while he set a new mark for career victories with 29. His performance earned Slowey second team All-America selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and a third team All-America pick by Baseball America.
