Heels' catcher Federowicz to turn pro

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Heels' catcher Federowicz to turn pro

By Matt Clements, InsideCarolina.com

Jul 3, 2008

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North Carolina junior catcher Tim Federowicz will forgo his final year of eligibility at UNC and sign with the Boston Red Sox.

Upon being cleared to play in the next few days, Federowicz will sign with the Red Sox organization and join their minor league club, the Lowell Spinners.

"I am in Lowell, Mass. and about to sign with the Red Sox," Federowicz told Inside Carolina on Thursday. "I am waiting for my drug test to come back at the end of the week.

"I expect to sign on Friday or Monday - it takes about seven to ten business days. I took the drug test last Thursday. I will be with the Lowell Spinners after that."

According to Federowicz, there was not much much in the way of negotiations.

"They met my bottom line and they called me when I got back [from Omaha]," he said.

The Apex, N.C. native was selected in the seventh round (No. 232 overall selection) of the Major League Baseball Draft by Boston last month. But Boston drafted him with the advanced knowledge that they could sign him.

"I talked with Quincy Boyd [the Red Sox regional scout) a number of times before the draft and he asked me how I was feeling about the draft and whether or not I would sign," Federowicz said.

Federowicz batted .303, with five home runs and 48 RBI in 2008. He considers his game-winning grand-slam against LSU last month in the College World Series to be "the biggest highlight of my career at North Carolina."

While he played a number of positions at UNC, including pitcher, the Red Sox drafted Federowicz with the intention of putting him at catcher.

"I'm very excited as catching is very thin in their organization," he said.

But with the excitement of starting his professional career comes a farewell to the Tar Heel baseball program where he left his mark the last three years and was known to all as "Fed-Ex."

"I'm going to miss Carolina Baseball," he reflected. "I love the fans and the whole program. It is going to be great for the guys coming up in the next couple of years with the new stadium."

Most Recent Comments

Where are the people bashing this kid for leaving after his junior year that were bashing the basketball players for considering leaving after their junior year. I hope he does well but would love to have him around another year. Just wonder what is the difference between FedEx and Wayne or Danny.

deacons said :"that is a very low draft pick, he better work hard!"

clearly this is someone who has no clue about the baseball draft which isnt surprising considering the source who has no knowledge of much except his/her love of trying to denigrate anything UNC. for your edification the baseball draft is 50...thats five zero...rounds long. so to be drafted in the 7th round is almost equal to being drafted in the nba lottery. now you can go back to your little world where the mighty deacons rule the sports world.

Best of luck, Tim. It doesn't matter where you start, just where you finish. If you can catch a knuckleball, they'll play you, for sure.

We'll miss you Tim. Congratulations on a spectacular college career and the opportunity to fulfill your ultimate dream. I hope you get your degree someday.

Good Luck!

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