Starting pitcher Tom Ebert and outfielder Greg Waddell won't decide whether to return to the Golden Panthers or sign their minor league contracts until next week.

Both players said they have to talk to their families, but Ebert also wants to make sure the contract is worth a sufficient amount of money while Waddell is concerned with how much playing time he will receive next season.

"We're still working out the contract's worth," Ebert said in a phone interview with Student Media on June 12. "We have a ballpark number. I will talk to my family and decide either next Monday or Tuesday."

Red Sox or Golden Panther?

Ebert was selected in the 19th round by the Boston Red Sox in the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on June 10. Last season, the 6-foot-6 right-hander went 6-5 with a 4.39 ERA, striking out 84 batters, and he walked 18 in 80 innings.

He found out he was drafted by the Red Sox while leaving his Organic Chemistry Lab. Ebert then called his parents to give them the news. His fiancée was happy for him as well.

"We basically just freaked out," Ebert said. "She was jumping up and down. She didn't even want to go to work that day."

Still, Ebert spoke to the Florida Marlins and the Boston Red Sox two weeks ago, and he was projected to be drafted anywhere from the 5th to 12th round.

He has yet to make his decision, but he is not ruling out the possibility of coming back to the Golden Panthers team. Returning to a team with developing freshmen and a strong starting rotation, which will add junior right-hander Miguel Mejía, is tempting.

"We had a lot of improvements. The fact that me, Scott [Rembisz], Corey [Polizzano] would be back with Miguel Mejía sounds good," Ebert said.

'Leaning towards signing'

Waddell was selected in the 39th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft by the Seattle Mariners on June 11 even though he started just 14 games for the Golden Panthers last season.

In 66 at-bats, he hit .439 with four home runs and 20 RBI. He also tied a Golden Panthers record by obtaining eight consecutive hits during one stretch.

While participating in the Valley Summer League in Virgina, Waddell was sleeping when a phone call awoke him. Next thing he knew, Waddell was selected by the Seattle Mariners.

"I was a little surprised at first," Waddell said. "I didn't think I had played enough."

He had spoken to some Major League teams, and he knew it was a possibility.

"It was still kind of shocking," Waddell said. "It was more of a relief than a surprise."

More so than Ebert, Waddell thinks he might sign the minor league contract. The terms of the contract have not been finalized.

"I'm leaning towards signing," Waddell said. "I have only one year left. I don't think I want to go through that again, not having as much playing time."

Waddell will return to Miami this weekend to talk to his family and the Seattle Mariners.

"I haven't decided yet," he said.

If they sign

Transitioning from Division I baseball to the minor leagues would mean longer seasons, wooden bats and more competition.

For the pitcher, Ebert, the minors does limit batters with less effective wooden bats, but those batters were high caliber players no matter what level they came from.

"In the end, everyone's good," Ebert said. "Every out will be that much tougher. Every count, every pitch will be magnified."

The outfielder Waddell said the increased competition might be the biggest adjustment to make from Division I to the minors.

"I think overall, hitting everyday against considerably good pitchers might be different," Waddell said.

But until next week, both players won't know if they will be helping build upon a 34-22 season or trying to showcase their abilities to major league farm systems.