Cardinals draft New Trier CF Charlie Tilson with 79th pick

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Barrington, Il. 042111 New Trier travels to Barrington to play the Broncos in baseball. Tilson warms up as the lead off hitter | Joe Cyganowski~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: September 15, 2011 12:28AM

Charlie Tilson added one more highlight to a reel that’s nearly full.

The New Trier center fielder was selected Tuesday by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 79th pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

‘‘I have a great relationship with their area scout, and I had a good feeling about them,’’ Tilson said. ‘‘I couldn’t ask to be part of a better group of people.’’

The Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year has
until Aug. 15 to work out a pro contract with the Cardinals. Tilson also has a scholarship waiting for him at Illinois, which played at the NCAA tournament for first time since 2000.

‘‘We will see where it goes,’’ he said.

Although he was a target for every opposing team, Tilson still managed to put together an excellent season. He had an average over .400 with 42 runs, 30 walks and 29 stolen bases.

‘‘As far as the season went, I couldn’t be happier,’’ said Tilson, whose team lost to Leyden 9-8 in the sectional final to finish
25-11. “Unfortunately, we had one bad inning. But that’s baseball.’’

Tilson starred as a sophomore for the state champion Trevians and earned a national reputation after playing at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., last summer.

‘‘He has good actions,’’ New Trier coach Mike
Napoleon said earlier this season. ‘‘That means he gets a good jump on balls, knows how to handle the bat and has a good throwing
motion. Kids either have it or they don’t.’’

Tilson plans to take his time making his decision.

Despite playing under a spotlight this spring, he appreciated all the support from the Trevians.

‘‘Going into the season, I was a little nervous with how it was going to go,’’ he said. ‘‘Everybody wants to be the best they can be, but sometimes certain attention brings up problems. But my teammates stood behind me through the good times and bad.’’

The only other local prep player taken Tuesday was Downers Grove South right-hander Nick Burdi, picked by the Minnesota Twins in the 24th round.

Several area college players were selected. Louisville right-hander Tony Zych (St. Rita) went to the Cubs in the fourth round; Valparaiso outfielder Kyle Gaedele (Rolling Meadows) went to the San Diego
Padres in the sixth, and Kansas State outfielder Nick Martini (Prairie Ridge) went to the Cardinals in the seventh.