YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 23
READ THE DAILY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Freedom shortstop drafted by Angels by Kyle Szymanski
Freedom shortstop Kyren Paris, seen here in a game against Heritage this season, was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels with their 55th pick this week.
Staff Writer
Oakley’s Freedom High School senior Kyren Paris is living out one of the best weeks of his life. The star baseball shortstop is set to graduate at the end of this week, and Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Los Angeles Angels are hoping he’ll pursue a professional baseball career right away. The Angels drafted the 17-year-old Paris with the 55th pick of the MLB draft this week. Paris did not respond to requests for comment. “Kyren is a very special young man, at an incredibly young age,” said Angels Scouting Director Matt Swanson in statements published on the team’s website. “He is just an awesome athlete; a high-end shortstop. I think, long-term, he has a lot of offensive upside to come into as he grows and matures, but I think when you can capture just a young talent like that, it is pretty exciting.” The 6-foot, 167-pound infielder, who doesn’t turn 18 until November, entered the draft as one of the better shortstop prospects, and the 50th best overall player, according to
MLB.com. Paris hit .312 with 83 hits, 34 RBIs and 71 runs, in 91 games over four seasons for the Falcons, according to Maxpreps.com, and is known as a standout defensive player. He’s committed to play for the University of California, Berkeley, but could opt out to
join the Angels organization. His early draft selection — in the second of 40 rounds — means a lucrative Angels signing offer could be on the table, worth up to $1.3 million. Paris’ magical draft moment was broadsee Drafted page 22A
by Chris Campos Correspondent
A 13-year dream of a waterfront regional park came into sharper focus Tuesday night, May 28, at the Oakley City Council meeting. Although the new plan fleshed out a lot more details, the city is still searching for the estimated $60 million required to pay for it. City staff are hoping to submit an application in August for funding through Proposition 68. Prop 68 — the $4.1 billion California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 — was approved by voters in June, 2018. Prop 68’s objectives include creating parks, enhancing river parkways and protecting coastal forests and wetlands. It also provides funding for outdoor access, lower-
SAVE NOW
Generation Of Volunteers
First Generation Farmers welcomes public to first volunteer event. Page 6A
Turning The Tassles
Press file photo
Regional Park continues to take shape
see Park page 22A
June 7, 2019
Students at La Paloma High School celebrate the annual rite of passage. Page 20A
Angling For The Prize
Logan Huntze, 19, takes all at prestigious fishing tournament as youngest participant. Page 1B
Rendering courtesy of City of Oakley
The City of Oakley is progressing with its plan to develop the property on Sellers Avenue into a regional park.
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