Terrace High’s Theis signs with the Kansas City Royals

Published 11:49 pm Friday, June 13, 2008

Jake Theis is in for a Surprise.

Theis, who graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School Thursday, signed a professional contract earlier this week with the Kansas City Royals. On Sunday, he flies to Surprise, Ariz., to join the rookie-level Arizona Royals of the Arizona League.

“Now I’m employed. I’ve kind of got my first job,” Theis, a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher, said Friday.

The Royals selected Theis, a 2008 All-Wesco South first-team honoree, in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft June 6.

On Monday, Royals area scout Scott Ramsay brought a contract to Theis’ home. With his parents, Bob and Cathy Theis, watching, Jake Theis signed, accepting a deal that included money for four years of college and a signing bonus. Theis declined to discuss the amount of bonus money he received.

The pitcher is the first Mountlake Terrace baseball player in at least nine years to sign a pro contract right out of high school, Terrace coach Andrew Watters said.

“It’s been a dream ever since I was little to play professional ball,” Theis said. “It’s still kind of sinking in.”

Theis said he’s excited to begin training in Arizona and working with great coaches. He expects to pitch in starting and relief roles.

The team will stay at a hotel near its home ballpark, Surprise Stadium, Theis said. He will share a room with a teammate.

Theis was one of two area high school players drafted last week. The Royals selected Stanwood catcher Doug Joyce in the 41st round.

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.