Royals consider signing Heimlich
Luke Heimlich, the Oregon State left-hander who went undrafted for the second year in a row because of a sexualassault conviction as a juvenile, might yet land a pro baseball job.
The Kansas City Royals are looking into signing the 22year-old, according to the Kansas City Star.
In 2012, when he was 15, he admitted to sexually assaulting his 6-year-old niece. He has subsequently recanted that admission.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore told the Star, “We continue to seek information that allows us to be comfortable in pursuing Luke. …
Moore added: “The easy thing is to wipe your hands of it and don’t even look into it or deal with it. We’re going to continue to look into it. I think that’s what good organizations do. I think that’s what good people do. And we try to be both.”
Heimlich, one of the best college players in the nation, has a 16-2 record and a 2.80 ERA for an Oregon State team that has reached the finals of the College World Series.
However, he has struggled in the CWS, going 0-1 with a 14.50 ERA in two starts in Omaha. Game postponed: The first game of the College World Series finals between Arkansas and Oregon State was postponed until Tuesday because of rain — just the latest in a line of delays caused by the weather this year.
“In my 16 years of being involved with this championship, this has been the most challenging College World Series as it relates to inclement weather,” NCAA director of championships and alliances Randy Buhr said.
Arkansas (47-19) will start Blaine Knight (13-0) against Heimlich (16-2) of Oregon State (53-11-1). Game 2 of the best-of-three finals is set for Wednesday and, if necessary, Game 3 would be Thursday.
New coach: After leading Mississippi State on a surprise run at the CWS, which ended with the Bulldogs’ loss to Oregon State on Saturday, interim coach Gary Henderson will be replaced. Indiana’s Chris Lemonis will be Mississippi State’s next baseball coach. Lemonis, 48, led the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four years. Henderson had taken over after Andy Cannizaro resigned in February over off-the-field conduct.