Cubs sign OCC’s Rademacher

Former Orange Coast College baseball standout Bijan Rademacher signed Wednesday with the Chicago Cubs organization to make it five of six Pirates drafted who have signed professional contracts the last two weeks.

Rademacher, selected in the 13th round (No. 404 overall) in the Major League BaseballFirst-Year Player Draft earlier this month, hit .349 with seven home runs and 49 runs batted in as a freshman for the Pirates in 2012. He began his collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton.

Rademacher, who late in the season became OCC’s closer and amassed four saves, was a first-team all-state and All-Orange Empire Conference honoree. He was drafted as an outfielder, which was his preference, though some believe his future in the pro ranks is on the mound. His fastball was clocked at 93 mph and he is left-handed.

Rademacher joins former OCC standouts Brandon Brennan, Boog Powell, Stefan Sabol and Joe Licon in the professional ranks.

Chris Carlson, the state and conference Player of the Year at OCC in 2012, has not yet signed. He was drafted in the 33rd round (No. 963) by the Boston Red Sox. He also signed a letter-of-intent at New Mexico State.

— Barry Faulkner