RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College centerfielder Anthony Vega, who was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 30th Round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, has come to terms for a professional contract and will forego his final year of collegiate eligibility. Vega becomes the first Jasper to sign with a Major League club since 2007 when Nick Derba, Jesse Darcy, Matt Rizzotti and Josh Santerre all agreed to professional contracts.
Vega was a First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) selection after starting all 60 games for the Jaspers in centerfield in 2012. The 6'1", 190-pound native of Patchogue, N.Y. helped propel Manhattan to its second consecutive MAAC championship in 2012 and the program's fourth berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Vega is coming off a season where he set career-highs in every statistical category. He led the Jaspers in batting average (.326), runs scored (41), triples (4), total bases (108), stolen bases (32) and slugging percentage (.476). His 32 stolen bases are tied for the 13th most nationally. Vega also was second on the club with five home runs and 41 RBI, while posting a .993 fielding percentage with only one error all season.
Vega will begin his professional baseball career with Baltimore's Short Season Class A affiliate the Aberdeen IronBirds. The IronBirds open the 2012 season on June 18 against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Dutchess Stadium at 6:35 p.m.
