Norrick and Gerrard are in Class A affiliates

Former Saluki baseball players are trying to find success down on the farm.

Before the glitz and glamour of the majors, Tyler Norrick and Grant Gerrard are paying their dues in Single A baseball.

The former SIU baseball players were selected June 7 in Major League Baseball‚s First Year Player Draft.

Both were originally drafted as juniors in 2005, Gerrard in the 16th round and Norrick in the 17th round, but they decided to return for their senior seasons.

Norrick, a former left-handed Saluki pitcher, was drafted his senior season by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round. A Festus, Mo., native, Norrick said he grew up a Cardinals fan.

When the Cardinals drafted him, it made the situation even sweeter.

„I was just happy to be drafted, but getting picked by the Cardinals was icing on the cake,‰ Norrick said.

Norrick is in the Cardinals minor league system playing for the Quad City Swing.

While Norrick manned the mound, Gerrard patrolled right field during his Saluki career. The Texas Rangers drafted Gerrard in the seventh round. He was born in Castle Rock, Co., but he said playing for the Rockies wasn‚t exactly his dream.

„I wasn‚t that big of a Rockies fan,‰ Gerrard said. „I was concerned with how high I was being drafted rather than what team.‰

Gerrard is in the Rangers‚ minor league system batting at a .298 clip for the Clinton Lumber Kings.

Norrick said there are major differences in the game for him now, such as playing more games. He said the talent level is greater and a longer season takes its toll.

„Usually, there are two or three stud players on a team in college. Now there is a team full of them,‰ Norrick said.

Norrick hasn‚t adjusted quite as well as Gerrard but still has an earned run average of 4.44.

Head baseball coach Dan Callahan said he was glad to see his former players come back to SIU because it shows respect for the team. He said players and staff have a close relationship.

That relationship can also help players make tough decisions about their future.

Callahan said Gerrard and Norrick made the right call to come back. Being drafted 10 rounds higher was proof of what an extra year as a Saluki could do.

„After their senior year they were picked in the seventh and sixth rounds respectively,‰ Callahan said. „I think we must be doing something right.‰