Lockwood joins the Twins, won’t attend USF

USF signee Nick Lockwood signed a major league contract with the Minnesota Twins on Monday, opting to forego his college career.

Lockwood, selected by the Twins in the ninth round, was the first of seven Bulls taken in the 2009 MLB draft.

“The Minnesota Twins showed a lot of interest,” said Rick Warren, Lockwood’s Jesuit High School coach. “It was the round we expected him to be drafted. What happened was what we thought fit going into the whole process.”

The Bulls also lost junior pitcher Shawn Sanford and signee Chase Greene, who signed professional contracts last week.

USF centerfielder Ryan Lockwood, Nick’s older brother, was drafted in the 39th round by the Oakland Athletics, but plans on returning to the Bulls for his redshirt junior season.

Nick Lockwood was the leadoff hitter and starting shortstop at Jesuit.

“He was our leader. Everything ran through him,” Warren said. “When he was out with injury, we couldn’t seem to get any kind of chemistry.”

Lockwood hit .380, scored 30 runs and had 26 RBI in just 24 games during his senior season at Jesuit. He was the third Jesuit player drafted in the last two years, joining Ryan Lockwood and USF outfielder Stephen Hunt. Hunt, a USF sophomore, was drafted by the Athletics in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft, but remained with the University.

“It’s special to coach those kinds of kids,” Warren said. “Those are the types of kids that can establish a program.”