Klocke leans toward return to Redhawks

~ The Cardinals haven't made an offer yet to the catcher

Jim Klocke said Wednesday that chances are he will return to Southeast Missouri State for his senior season.

"I'm more than likely coming back to school," Klocke said from Brewster, Mass., where he is playing in the Cape Cod League for the second straight summer.

Klocke, Southeast's standout catcher who completed his junior season of eligibility this year, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 46th round of last month's amateur draft.

When Klocke was drafted by his hometown team June 11, he said he wasn't close to making a decision on his future as he prepared to leave for the Cape Cod League, one of the nation's premier summer collegiate baseball leagues.

Klocke, a St. Louis native who attended Vianney High School, appears much closer to a decision now. He said the Cardinals have not yet made him an offer.

Klocke has until Aug. 15 to sign with the Cardinals or elect to return to Southeast for his senior season. If he returns to Southeast, he would re-enter next year's draft pool.

"I've really only talked to them [Cardinals officials] a couple of times since I've been out here," Klocke said. "We're kind of in the holding process right now.

"I know they had to take care of [signing] the players who were drafted a lot higher than me. I'm sure that [a financial offer] will come a little later. I guess I'm kind of down the line in the food chain."

He said on the day he was drafted that he wasn't leaning one way regarding his baseball future. He said that starting his professional career would be enticing, but so would finishing up his Southeast career and earning a degree.

Klocke garnered multiple honors this year after having the best season of his three-year Southeast career.

Klocke was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America third team and earned honorable mention on the Ping! All-America squad. He also made the Academic All-America second team for his classroom performance.

He was named to the all-Ohio Valley Conference first team for the second straight year after finishing the season ranked in the top 100 nationally in batting average (.394, 86th), doubles (20, 64th) and on-base percentage (.484, 73rd). He had nine homers, 46 RBIs and a .654 slugging percentage.

"I think I'm in a good situation no matter what happens," said Klocke, who is on track to graduate next year if he returns to Southeast, and almost certainly will have an opportunity to play professionally after his senior season. "A lot of people would like to be in my situation."

While Klocke's baseball future sorts itself out, he said he is enjoying the Cape Cod League, which attracts many of the nation's premier college players and counts a host of current major league stars as alumni.

Klocke was hitting .241 in part-time duty through Tuesday's games.

While that average might not seem impressive, consider that the league uses wood bats and traditionally is dominated by pitching.

Brewster's team average was .227, and the top team average in the league was .259.

"There's a ton of great arms," Klocke said. "Every night you see everybody's top arms."

The league, which began in mid-June and runs through mid-August, has every team playing most nights.

"It's pretty much a jam-packed schedule. There aren't many days off," said Klocke, who lives with a host family.

While Klocke would like to be performing better, he said his main objective is to improve.

"I'm doing good here and there," he said. "I'm just trying to get better for next year."

No matter where he might be playing.