professional foresters

Slee joins professional ranks

Huntington College’s senior catcher, Greg Slee, became the eighth Forester to be drafted by Major League Baseball. Slee, who hails from Liberty Center, Ohio, went in the 24th round to the Seattle Mariners. As a four-year starter for Coach Mike Frame, Slee was first-team MCC All-Conference, NAIA All-Region, and NAIA Honorable Mention All-America both as a junior and senior. He batted .324 for his career, committed just eight errors in 156 games played for a .990 fielding percentage, and threw out 43.6% of the base runners attempting to steal. “Greg is the best throwing catcher I have ever had,” said Coach Frame. “He also was one of the hardest working players I have ever had at any position.”

Slee performed well at several major league tryouts he attended last summer and grabbed the attention of several teams, which sent scouts to watch him on numerous occasions this spring. He responded by throwing out 54.2% of potential base stealers and had a career year at the plate, hitting .369 and knocking in 21 runs.

Although seven other Forester baseball players have been drafted in the past, Slee has the distinction of being the first position player to be chosen. The Mariners made him the 22nd pick of the 24th round and the 723rd player chosen overall. “Greg was an outstanding student here at HC and just a quality, quality person. I am very excited that he will have the chance to play professional baseball.”

Heath Luther becomes an Angel

Former Forester standout pitcher, Heath Luther, spent the 2001 summer as a member of the Anaheim Angel’s farm system after signing as a free agent in early June. Luther spent time in the Angel’s Rookie Leagues in Provo, Utah and Mesa, Arizona. While a Forester, Luther was a three time NAIA All-American (twice as an outfielder, and once as a pitcher). He holds career records in 7 career hitting records. See Individual Records.