CSU East Bay’s Charlie Sharrer always hoped he would play on a major league baseball team as an outfielder; however he never thought he would be drafted as a pitcher.

Sharrer was picked in the 16th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, June 8. While watching the live feed on the internet, he heard his name announced by the Chicago White Sox, following a phone call from a scouting agent.

“It was awesome, it felt like my whole life’s work had been summed up all in that one moment,” he said. “I shed a tear because I was so happy, it was really one of the best moments in my life.”

Prior to the draft, Sharrer, a baseball player for 16 years, moved from Palmdale, California to CSU East Bay on a baseball scholarship where he was a four-year starter for the Pioneer Baseball Team. He is the first Pioneer baseball player to be drafted since Devin Grigg in 2010.

“Charlie was an above average outfielder,” Assistant Coach Darren Lewis said. “He tracked the ball well and got a good jump on the ball. He was chosen in the draft because he has above average arm strength of the mound and just has the body of a pro.”

During his last season with the Pioneers, Sharrer lead the team in home runs (4) and slugging (.519) and spent little time on the pitching mound. In 13 appearances, he led the Pioneers with four saves and posted a 3.66 era. He is looking to improve his pitching the most in the upcoming season with the White Sox.

“I’ve hit well my whole life,” he said. “I’ve only got three innings to pitch last year so actually working on pitching is what I will be looking forward to. This is my job now, it’s not like ‘oh it’s fun,’ I have to take it as a job and that’s going to be a big change.”

The distance from his home town and his family is what has been affecting him the most about this recent life changing event.

“It’s a lot different because I’m the farthest away from my home than I’ve ever been,” said Sharrer. “The biggest change I think is being far away from my fiancé. We’ve lived together the past two years and spent pretty much every day together, so it’s going to be tough.”

Sharrer flew out to Bristol, Tennessee on June 18 and has now begun his training, while living in a hotel with fellow teammates until they are able to find an apartment. He will stay there until September, when he will go home to Palmdale until his spring training begins.

As he begins his journey with the White Sox, Sharrer has a stand out final season with the Pioneers to look back on. He finished his career by helping the team reach a No. 22 national ranking in March and tie the school record with 32 wins for the year, reported CSUEB Athletics.

He was also named second team All-CCAA and First Team Daktronics All-West Region selection; however Lewis believes that his greatest accomplishment was being selected to National Player of the week for March 18-24.

“Charlie had a great four years at East Bay,” Head Coach Bob Ralston told CSUEB Athletics. “He is an excellent hitter with an outstanding arm. It’s great that Chicago sees the potential of utilizing Charlie as a pitcher. We wish him the best in his career with the organization.”