Heritage High’s Paul Blackburn was selected No. 56 overall by the Chicago Cubs in Monday’s Major League Baseball draft. The selection was in the compensatory round, a pick awarded to Chicago for the free-agent departure of Carlos Pena.
Blackburn was at his home in Oakley watching the draft with his family, some friends and neighbors and was surprised to hear his name called.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” Blackburn said. “I knew the Cubs were in the mix, but I didn’t think it’d be until later in the second round.”
Blackburn was 10-3 with a 0.93 ERA for the Patriots this season and is signed with Arizona State. He said it’s too early to estimate the possibility of signing vs. attending college, but is excited about a future in the big league.
“All my hard work has paid off now,” Blackburn said. “I hope to fulfill my dream. I hope to make it through and make it to the big leagues.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander would like to help bring some success to the Cubs organization.
“I know the Cubs haven’t won a World Series in a long time,” Blackburn said. “Hopefully I can bring that to Chicago.”