That's when he'll finalize the paperwork that officially makes him a Minnesota Twin. Tootle was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the Major League Draft. Finishing the negotiation process and returning to playing has Tootle almost giddy.
"I'm definitely excited to get that done and not have to think about it any more, to just get back to playing ball," Tootle said.
Tootle declined to comment on the signing bonus he'll receive from the Twins, saying it was "nice" and "he liked it." Bonuses for third-round draftees in 2008 ranged from $325,000 to $550,000.
Tootle's collegiate career at JSU didn't have a storybook ending. A stength-sapping mid-season stomach virus caused him problems throughout the remainder of the season, and he didn't win a game after March 28.
He finished with a 4.56 ERA and 3-4 record. The right-hander recorded 58 strikeouts in 511/3 innings of work.
"I'm pretty much over anything I had before," Tootle said. "I took about a month now, since the season ended. It gave me time to breathe, to kind of relax for now and get back to working out and running and get things to where I feel good."
Tootle said he was disappointed in not being able to help his Gamecocks more.
"It was the first time that happened," Tootle said. "I've never got sick in a season. I've always been healthy and able to help the team out. I was upset and didn't know what to do. I couldn't help the team, and I didn't like to just sit there and watch."
The lack of college innings likely means that once Tootle gets acclimated with the Elizabethton Twins, they can use him more than teams often use new players.
"I'll throw some bullpens and ease back into getting on the mound," Tootle said. "I'm not sure when I'll actually be throwing in a game."
Tootle, a former Oxford High star, jumped onto the radar of MLB scouts after a surprisingly stellar summer in the Cape Cod League this past year.
