SPRINGDALE — D’Vone McClure will not rest on the laurels of being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft earlier this week.
“I know I’m going to have to work,” the former Jacksonville standout said. “I’m used to working, and I have the work ethic. I’m ready to put the work in.”
One swing of the bat illustrated how hard McClure plans on working Friday afternoon. He belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning and gave the Arkansas Express’ premier team a 5-3 victory over the Texas Blackhawks during the B.E.S.T. Hawg Showcase at Tyson Park.
This came just four days after the 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder was chosen during the draft’s second day. Cleveland made McClure its fourthround selection and the 143rd player picked overall, ending the slew of phone calls he had received from teams over a two-day period.
“I got a phone call every round up until the fourth,” McClure said. “But it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Then the Indians called, and it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but they picked me anyway. So I guess negotiations will take care of the rest.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet. It was kind of like a dream, and I was waiting for somebody to pinch me. It’s also a big relief and takes some weight off my shoulders.”
His phone continues to ring, but for a different reason. McClure gets a daily call as he negotiates his future with the Indians, and they must come to terms on a deal before the July 13 deadline.
McClure said he and the Indians management are close on the numbers, and Express coach Greg Baxendale believes it’s only a matter of time before they agree. Baxendale, who also works with the Indians as a scout, believes the professional circuit is better suited for McClure.
“He really needs to go,” Baxendale said. “He hasn’t played enough baseball, and he’s better suited for a place that develops players and runs them out there, no matter what.
“If he strikes out 10 times, it really doesn’t matter, and that’s where he is going to develop.”
If things don’t work out with Cleveland before the deadline, McClure does have another option. He signed a letter of intent with Arkansas in November and still has the Razorbacks on the back burner.
“Right now, I’m still a Hog,” McClure said. “I have no problem being a Razorback. But if the opportunity is right, I don’t have a problem getting my career started earlier.
“I still talk to (Arkansas hitting) coach (Todd) Butler and (UA head) coach (Dave) Van Horn a lot. I’m fi ne with either way I go.”