Former Springville High standout pitcher Mark Pawelek was released Monday by the Chicago Cubs.
Pawelek, Utah's all-time and single-season strikeout king, was the Cubs first-round selection (20th overall pick) in the 2005 draft. He quickly signed a six-year deal and received a $1.75 million signing bonus.
However, Pawelek never made it past high A ball in four seasons and posted a career record of 6-12 with an ERA of 3.86 in 54 games, 29 of which were starts. He was hampered by injuries in two of those years.
"Honestly, I think he's actually happy about it and glad to move on," said Dan Pawelek, the lefty's father. "He's optimistic about the future and feels he'll catch on with another organization," Dan Pawelek said. "He just wants to throw some innings somewhere and get some time on the mound."
In high school Pawelek threw in the mid-90s, went 10-0 his senior season while striking out a record 132 batters in 63 innings. He did not give up a single earned run. But the past few years, mostly with the Boise Hawks, he's had control problems and his velocity dropped into the high 80s. Recently, however, he's reportedly throwing again above 90 mph.