WCU, Pennridge High Product Dylan Tice Adjusting To Pro Baseball

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennridge High School product Dylan Tice only played one season at Division II West Chester University after transferring over from IUP, but boy did he make that one season count.

Tice hit .433 in 42 games during his senior year with the Golden Rams and that caught the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals who selected him in the 36th round of this year's June draft.

"I had a pre-draft workout with them the weekend previous to the draft," Tice tells KYW Newsradio. "So I knew they had some interest, wasn't sure how much. So I was a little surprised when they drafted me, but I was looking for my name when their spot came up in the draft just because you're eager for any opportunity you get."

Listen to the entire interview with Pennridge High and West Chester University product Dylan Tice

The 22-year-old switch-hitting Tice is batting .288 for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Cardinals. In 16 games, he has 15 hits, 10 runs scored and seven runs batted in and he talks about the transition to the pros.

"Every single kid can play out here," Tice says. "It's a faster game up and down, guys get down the line. But the one thing I've noticed is every single kid here can hit. As far as professional baseball, you know everyone can hit a fastball, whether it's 85 miles per hour or 95 miles per hour. So it's fun to compete and I'm glad to be here."

In the field, Tice has already played multiple games at second base, shortstop and third base in the GCL.

"I think being able to play three positions is obviously an advantage," Tice says. "They are using me to give guys days off and get more at bats, so it's kind of fun, I get to play all three. I've played shortstop and second throughout my career, and mostly shortstop. Now here they have me playing a little more third base and I really like playing third base and having fun over there, to learn the new positions and things. But it's kind of fun to get to play with different kids, different positions and learn things from all over the diamond."

The Gulf Coast League season runs through the end of August.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.