With his palms sweating and heart pumping, Dean Anna stepped into the batter's box for his first professional at-bat and stared at a pro pitcher prepared to blow three fastballs by him.
As the ball contacted Anna's bat, the crack of his first professional home run reverberated throughout the stadium during the June 22 game. Circling the bases as the ball arrived at its destination behind the right-center field fence, the former Ball State shortstop said his anxiety of playing for a new team subsided.
"It was my first time out, and I really needed it," Anna said, "I hit it and thought, 'That's out,' and sure enough I looked up and watched it go off the scoreboard. I was shocked in a way, but I was just running around the bases feeling good."
The San Diego Padres' organization drafted Anna six rounds before taking former Ball State closer Kyle Heyne in the MLB Draft on June 6. During the past two months, the two former teammates have experienced daily trials and triumphs as professionals in the Padres' Single-A affiliate.
"It's good to have someone that I'm cool with and that I went to school with," Anna said about Heyne. "It feels like we're back in Ball State in a way, and it's really nice to have him around."
Heyne served as a staple of the Cardinals bullpen during the past few years, helping the program to a Mid-American Conference tournament championship in 2006.
After deciding to return to Ball State instead of joining the Minnesota Twins organization a year ago, Heyne finished his final season with a 1.34 ERA and eight saves. Coach Greg Beals said he believes Heyne has been a great strength for the Ball State baseball team during his career.
"The numbers that Kyle Heyne put up as a collegiate player are as good as a relief pitcher can put up," Beals said. "It just meant the world to our program for the last four years and especially the last three years when he was our closer."
Anna also contributed greatly to the Cardinals during his junior year. Last season, Anna recorded a .319 batting average, 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .941 fielding percentage.
While both players were leaders for Beals' program, he said Anna's specialized skills were the reason he was selected ahead of Heyne.
"Dean possesses some skills and some talents that are very attractive to professional baseball organizations," Beals said. "He's a left-handed middle infielder, which seems to be a commodity in the pros."
Anna was originally assigned to the Padres' rookie team in Peoria, Ariz., but was brought up to the Single-A, minor-league team in Eugene. Paul DePodesta, the Padres' assistant general manager, said he has great respect for the way Anna plays the game.
"[Dean Anna is] known as a hard-nosed and disciplined player," DePodesta said in a June 6 press release. "... Dean's strike-zone discipline is outstanding, as he walked 46 times compared to just 17 strikeouts. Dean also banged 30 extra base hits, so he's also a threat with the bat."
Anna had the choice of coming back to Ball State for his senior season. However, he discussed his options with Beals, who told Anna he was ready to take the next step in his career.
"When you recruit kids and talk to them about having a chance to play professionally, it's hard to talk them into playing at the program once they finally get that chance." Beals said.
Heyne appeared in three games in Peoria before the organization moved him up to Eugene, where he has nine appearances. DePodesta said he likes Heyne's delivery and the movement on his pitches.
"A sidearming bullpen arm, Kyle has great sinking life on his fastball, which he commands well," DePodesta said in the release. "He also throws a slider and changeup, but his bread and butter is the sinker."
Even though both players said they are enjoying the time they've spent in the pros, Heyne and Anna said they are still having a rough time adjusting to the cramped schedule. Heyne said the biggest change from college to professional baseball is playing every day.
"Just going through that grind every day, always running and working out," Heyne said. "We get a break here and there. It's really tiring, but it's fun because it's something I've always wanted to do."
After beginning his career with a bang, Anna has recently been forced to work his way out of a slump, batting .195 in 87 at-bats. Heyne finds himself in a similar situation with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 4.76.
Coach Beals has seen his fair share of collegiate players taking their shot at the pros. From what he's seen out of his two latest draftees, he said both players' are having an average first season.
"They're both going through that typical first year of pro ball," Beals said, "They've had some ups and downs and haven't played very consistently, and that can be expected to some degree. I'm hoping they both settle down and have a good last month to their season."
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