Barreda, Delgado drafted into the big leagues

Manny Barreda and Ramon “Chapo” Delgado shared the same humble beginnings as wide-eyed Little-Leaguers with dreams of making the majors one day.

That dream became a reality as both Sahuarita baseball phenoms were selected in this weekend’s Major League Baseball amateur draft.

“I couldn’t possibly be happier for these kids,” said former Sahuarita manager Bryan Huie. “Both Manny and Chapo deserve the opportunity and I think both kids end up playing in the majors one day really soon as long as they stay healthy.”

Barreda, 18, was drafted in the 12th round—pick 394 overall—by the New York Yankees.

“My family and I were following the draft online and I was getting really nervous,” Barreda said. “The Yankees had the last pick in the 12th round, so I was really excited to see my name pop on the screen.”

Delgado, 20, was taken in round 41—pick 1,235 overall—by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ironically, it was Delgado who walked into Triple Play on Duval Mine Road in Sahuarita for his draft celebration party wearing a Yankees cap.

“I guess I’m going to have to trade this in for a Cardinals cap really soon,” Delgado joked.

Both players signed their contracts yesterday, with the Yankees guaranteeing eight semesters paid at the University of Arizona to Barreda and four semesters paid at the University of New Mexico for Delgado.

“Teams do that now in case the player gets injured or baseball doesn’t quite work out,” Huie said. “So no matter what, these kids are taken care of. It’s an amazing opportunity for both of them, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

After leading the Mustangs to the 2005 state championship as the ace of the pitching staff, Delgado took his right arm to Pima Community College in Tucson and posted two outstanding seasons.

In 2007, Delgado tossed two no-hitters and two one-hitters on his way to a spot in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference First Team.

“Chapo has worked so hard and he deserves all the credit in the world for his success,” said his aunt, Mary Bracamonte. “We’re one of the oldest families in Sahuarita, and having Chapo make it to the big leagues is a big deal for our family and for our community.”

Barreda capped off an amazing 2007 season by striking out 105 batters in 64 innings pitched for the Mustangs. The 5-foot 11-inch Barreda boasts a 95 mile-per-hour fastball, along with a nasty slider and devastating change-up.

He was named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger All-American team, becoming the second Mustang to accomplish that feat after Fernando Mejia made the squad in 2006. In addition, Barreda was named the 3A conference’s Most Outstanding Player.

“Manny was the heart and soul of our team this season,” Huie said. “I can’t wait to see what Manny and Chapo accomplish in rookie ball.”

Both pitchers fly out to Florida today to start rookie ball with their respective clubs.

Barreda and Delgado both agree that the entire process has been a whirlwind and the fact that they’re now professional baseball players has yet to sink in.

Huie—a former pitcher in the Seattle Mariners program—said the feeling will sink in during the first day the alarm rings at 5:30 a.m. at rookie ball.

“Once you get there, it’s non-stop baseball every day,” Huie said. “It really separates the men from the boys, but both of these kids have what it takes to make it, I’m sure of that.”

Barreda and Delgado are the first graduates of Sahuarita High School to be selected in the MLB draft, and Sahuarita was one of only two schools in Arizona—along with Horizon High School in Scottsdale—to have two players selected this year.

Barreda will now be a part of one of baseball’s most storied franchises, while Delgado is now a member of the defending World Series Champions.

“I hadn’t thought of it like that,” Delgado said. “That’s pretty cool.”

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