Tale of Two Sluggers Takes Another Turn

Mike Bianucci, a former star for W.T. Woodson in Fairfax, has been signed by the Texas Rangers.

Bianucci and Westfield's Brandon Snyder were the two most dominant sluggers in local prep baseball in the 2005 season.

Snyder opted to go pro right out of high school, signing a seven-figure deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Injuries have kept Snyder from living up to billing so far; he's still with the O's single-A affiliate in Frederick this season.

Bianucci opted for the college life, and has starred at Auburn the past three springs. He's also lived the amateur player's dream of playing in the much mythologized Cape Cod League each summer.

I went to my first Cape Cod League game on Saturday. Having followed him since high school, I was excited about seeing Bianucci play outfield for the Cotuit Kettleers. As of the weekend, he was tied for second in the league in RBIs and home runs.

Turns out he'd accepted an offer from the Rangers and left town a few hours before the first pitch.

As Snyder could tell him, there's no turning back now.