Dearborn Baseball Star Signs with Cleveland Indians

If all things go well for former catcher Eric Haase, he could be playing in Comerica Park some day–as an opponent.

The 18-year-old agreed to terms on a contract with the Cleveland Indians Saturday, according to the team’s website.  The seventh-round pick’s deal reportedly garnered a $580,000 signing bonus.

Haase had at Ohio State University this year, but opted out of his commitment in favor of going pro.

The 5-foot-11 backstop helped DC to two state championships, one of which came during a senior season in which Haase hit .495 with 14 homeruns and 54 RBIs. The performance earned him the title of Mr. Baseball in 2011, as voted by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Although he was drafted as a catcher, scouts and coaches agree that his athleticism is also good enough for looks at third base. The nationwide scouting service Perfect Game USA rated Haase as the 37th best high school senior in the country this spring, adding, “If he played in an area that were more heavily scouted he would likely be getting first round consideration.”

Haase will head to the Indians’ spring training facilities in Goodyear, AZ next month instead of enrolling in fall classes at OSU. There, he will take the field for Cleveland’s minor league squad in the rookie-level Arizona League.