Bednar, Giants agree on deal
SAN FRANCISCO — Will Bednar called it “a whirlwind past two weeks.”
An apt description.
The Mars graduate continued his memorable summer Friday at Oracle Park, being introduced to the San Francisco Giants media after signing with the National League team.
Bednar, named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series two weeks ago, was selected 14th overall in the MLB draft a week ago. He signed for a $3.65 million bonus.
“He actually signed Thursday in Scottsdale (Ariz.), their spring training site,” his father, retired Mars baseball coach Andy Bednar, said. “It's been a great weekend out here.
“For Will to be introduced here with the Pirates in town ... that couldn't have been scripted any better.”
The Bednar family sat in the first row by the Giants dugout during the Pirates' 6-4 win over San Francisco Friday night. Will had a Giants jersey on while his father donned the team's hoodie.
David Bednar, Will's older brother, tossed a scoreless eighth inning for the Pirates that night.
“That was a little awkward,” Andy Bednar said, laughing. “I was sitting next to the Giants team owner. I couldn't react too much.
“We met (Giants manager) Gabe Kapler before the game. I told him I'd be pulling for the Giants in every inning but the eighth. They'd have to put up a zero then. He told me that was a pretty bold statement to make, but he got it.”
The Bednar brothers posed for pictures before the game, wearing their respective major league gear.
“As a father, being a baseball family, your dream is to have your son be able to play pro ball one day. To see my two boys standing side-by-side, wearing the uniform of their major league teams ... that was a big, big moment for me.”
During a pregame interview with Giants TV, Will Bednar said he had not met any players on the team yet, but did meet retired San Francisco first baseman Will Clark.
Like Bednar, Clark played college ball at Mississippi State. He hit 284 home runs and had a career .303 batting average with the Giants.
“That was awesome,” Bednar said of meeting Clark. “The guy's a legend.”
When asked by the TV reporter if he would take any jabs at the two Giants players from Vanderbilt — the team Mississippi State defeated in the CWS — Bednar responded: “I won't be that guy.”
He was grateful that his older brother could be on hand to share in his introduction to the major leagues.
“(David) told me to just keep a level head about everything,” Bednar said. “Don't get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.
“He's done that really well. That's one of the reasons why he's been successful.”
Bednar will return to Scottsdale this week to begin his professional career.
“Will threw 90 to 100 innings this year at Mississippi State,” his father said. “He's been staying in shape, but I don't know how much more they'll want him to pitch this year.
“I know Will's anxious to get back on the mound and get to work. They'll evaluate him in Scottsdale and go from there.”
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