SAN FRANCISCO -- The Wideman brothers are open for business in the minors.
Catcher Jordan Wideman, 18, signed with the Cincinnati Reds this week and yesterday arrived in camp at Sarasota, Fla.
"The Reds gave me a pretty good offer, so it happened quickly," Wideman said. "Our season starts Tuesday."
The Mississauga catcher will play with the Reds entry into the rookie-class Gulf Coast League.
This weekend he'll travel to Dunedin to see his brother A.J. Wideman, 22, who is pitching in the Blue Jays system. The brothers are graduates of the Ontario Blue Jays.
Pitching for class-A Dunedin, A.J. Wideman is 3-2 with a 3.59 earned run average in seven starts. He has walked seven and struck out 25 in 422/3 innings.
"My brother is proud of me," the catcher said. Wideman was the top local high school player selected in the June draft, as was his brother in the 2003 draft.
A.J. was selected in the 11th round by the Montreal Expos, chosen 327th overall. Jordan also went in the 11th round, but was 349th over-all. Scout Bill Byckowski, formerly of the Blue Jays signed the catcher.
Which brother has bragging rights?
"Well, my brother went higher in the draft," Jordan said, "but I received a larger signing bonus. The Reds gave me $55,000 (US) while the Expos gave my brother $45,000.
"I guess I have extra, but we'll call it even."
Both brothers received $56,000 scholarship packages for when their playing days are done.
