By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — Former East St. John pitcher Bryton Trepagnier said that he had “waited his whole life” for the chance to play professional baseball upon being drafted last month by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The only thing that stood between Trepagnier and the realization of that dream was a contract negotiation.

And now, nothing stands between them.

Trepagnier and the Pirates came to terms on a minor league deal this week. He departed on Wednesday to join his new teammates with the Pirates rookie league club in Bradenton, Florida. The team plays in the Gulf Coast League.

“This is a great achievement for me,” said Trepagnier. “But my ultimate goal is to reach the major leagues.”

A 6-foot-5, 180 pound righthander, Trepagnier throws 91 MPH. Some scouts project that the number could climb once he adds more muscle to his frame.

“He’s got a skill set that, if he continues to progress, he’ll be very valuable to a team some day,” said Ryan Sims, his coach at East St. John.

Trepagnier chose to begin his professional career over the alternative, which was to play at Bossier Parish Community College, where he signed earlier this year.

Pittsburgh selected him in the 41st round of June’s MLB Draft, selection 1,237.