SRVHS's Bobby Geren Drafted by Oakland A's

San Ramon Valley High senior Bobby Geren knew going into Wednesday, the third day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, there was a good chance he'd be drafted.

While taking a government final, Geren noticed his phone vibrating a few times and figured his name had probably been called.

"When I checked my phone after class, there were like five messages that said congrats," he said. "And an e-mail link to the audio of the actual draft."

Geren, whose father is Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren, was taken by Oakland in the 36th round.

"It has always been in the back of my head (that the A's would draft me)," he said. "I went to their pre-draft workout last week and I'm really excited it was them who drafted me."

He called his dad almost immediately after getting out of class, who congratulated him before explaining the details of the business side of things.

"Then we went out and took some swings in the batting cage," Geren said.

Geren is committed to play baseball at Princeton University next year and said he will likely pursue that option rather than starting a profesional career with the A's.

He was drafted as a third baseman, but was thrust into the catching role at San Ramon Valley this spring due to injuries, and responded well.

"One day he was our third baseman the next day he was our catcher," San Ramon Valley coach Chris deClerq said. "He could play first or a corner outfield spot too if we needed him—with that arm he can play almost anywhere."

Although he's mainly been a third baseman, Geren thinks his ability to catch has only improved his value as a player and is open to playing both positions in the future.

During the summer, Geren will play for the Hawaii Aliis of the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League.

"He's a big strong left-handed kid that should project to be a power guy," deClerq said. "It's only a matter of time before he develops into that kind of hitter."

The Geren family moved to Danville from the Phoenix area before Bobby's freshman year and although he admitted it was a tough time to move, it has worked out well.

"I made a lot of friends through baseball, I love it here," he said. "It's definitely been my favorite place that we've lived."

His brother, Brett, who also plays baseball for San Ramon Valley, will be a senior next year.

"Bobby and Brett are both great kids, you wouldn't know their dad was a Big League manager unless you asked," deClerq said. "Bob is a really good guy too. He is always helpful and asking if there is anything he can do to help. He wears the parent hat around the team and cares about his kids and wants to see them do well."

The Wolves went 18-8, and finished in a second-place tie in the East Bay Athletic League standings before being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division I playoffs. Geren hit .213 with a homer, three doubles and nine RBI's.

2010

Bobby Geren — 36th round, Oakland Athletics

2009

Ryan Palsha — 16th round, Baltimore Orioles

Scott Griggs — 34th round, Seattle Mariners

2008

James Darnell — 2nd round San Diego Padres

2006

Josh Butler — 2nd round, Tampa Bay Rays

2004

Adam Ricks — 10th round, Chicago White Sox

Matt Brown — 22nd round, Houston Astros

Tony Festsa — 23rd round, Milwaukee Brewers

2003

Nate Schierholtz — 2nd round, San Francisco Giants

Matt Brown — 29th round, Chicago Cubs

2002

Tim Gilhooly — 4th round, Baltimore Orioles

Kirk Gross — 37th round, Arizona Diamondbacks

1999

Tim Gilhooly — 32nd round, San Franciso Giants (out of high school, did not sign)

1995

Randy Winn — 3rd round, Florida Marlins

Brandon Buckley — 45th round, Kansas City Royals (out of high school)

1994 

Chris Pettiet — 8th round, Toronto Blue Jays (out of high school)

1992 

Brady Raggio — 20th round, St. Louis Cardinals

1990 

Brady Raggio — 38th round, Los Angeles Dodgers (out of high school, did not sign)

1987 

Mike Meyers — 27th round, San Diego Padres 

1973

Lew Olson — 1st round (9th pick), Kansas City Royals (out of high school)

*List is not complete, send other names to Kyle Bonagura at kyle.bonagura@patch.com

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San Ramon Patch: 

Pleasanton Patch: Foothill's Will Anderson drafted by Tampa Bay Rays

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