Dan Dallas signed with the San Diego Padres, he told 7 Eyewitness Sports Reporter Nick Filipowski on Saturday.
"To finally put the pen to paper and be a part of the San Diego Padres is a great feeling, just knowing all the hard work paid off," he said. "It's time to start a professional career so I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity and to finally get going."
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Dallas said the organization agreed to covered four years of his education once his playing days are over. He had originally committed to playing Division I baseball at Monmouth this coming fall.
"They were extremely grateful I decided to sign with them, and they really made it fair," he said. "It made it a quicker process."
Dallas, who was 10-0 this past season with Canisius, was drafted in the 7th Round with the 204th overall pick.
He struck out 90 batters in less than 50 innings of work this season, and even tossed a no-hitter in the Game 1 of the Georgetown Cup Final against rival St. Francis.
He also hit a 3-run homerun to help the Crusaders win the title.
"Going from high schools to the pros is a big step and a lot of people will say I've never faced college pitching."
"It's a step where you have to go in knowing that somebody is trying to take your job," he said. "You have to compete every day and that's something I love to do."
Dallas said he'll report to rookie ball in Peoria, Ariz., immediately. After the summer season is over he could continue in an instructional league in Arizona, or head to the Dominican Republic.
