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David Avitia signs with Cubs
9/21/2022 9:13:00 AM | Baseball
Lopes standout catcher signs as non-drafted free agent after year of injury rehab
Former Grand Canyon catcher David Avitia signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, more than a year after his attempt to sign with the Cubs following his senior season was delayed last summer by injury rehabilitation.
"This means the world to me," Avitia said. "I get to continue to follow my dreams after everything that has happened."
Avitia was the Lopes' primary catcher for four years (2018-21) and amassed over 1,000 innings behind the plate. One of the nation's premier defensive catchers, Avitia stopped over half of opponent's stolen-base attempts in his last three seasons (35 of 69, 50.7%) and caught 39 of 88 (44.3%) for his career.
Avitia signed with the Cubs in July of 2021 before a medical exam revealed an elbow issue that required surgery. He spent the last year recovering and rehabilitating from surgery while also serving as the Lopes' student assistant coach last season.
"I'm excited to get back to work and compete every day again," Avitia said. "It's obviously been a long path, but what matters is I'm here now. I have a great support system that has helped me a lot and that has really kept me going. Big thanks to that support that has been there every step of the way."
Avitia becomes the 19th non-drafted free-agent signing in program history. Right-handed pitcher Zach Barnes signed as a free agent last season, while infielders Cuba Bess and Drew Smith signed the year before. GCU also had four players selected in this year's MLB Draft.
"It's a great day for David and the Avitia family," GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said. "He's worked so hard for this opportunity, and it's great to see him get a shot to play professional baseball. The Chicago Cubs are getting an outstanding baseball player and first-class person."
A consolation for David's delay to the start of his professional career was getting to be alongside his younger brother, pitcher Daniel Avitia, for his first collegiate season.
"I love it so much," Daniel said of having his brother in the Lopes dugout after a 14-strikeout outing last season. "He always helps me out with everything. After the third inning, he told me what I was doing wrong. It's really lucky and fortunate that I have him there because he helps me out so much."
David — who was an All-WAC honorable mention as a senior in 2021 — got to watch his brother have a standout freshman campaign that resulted in accolades, including WAC Pitcher of the Year, WAC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American.
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"This means the world to me," Avitia said. "I get to continue to follow my dreams after everything that has happened."
Avitia was the Lopes' primary catcher for four years (2018-21) and amassed over 1,000 innings behind the plate. One of the nation's premier defensive catchers, Avitia stopped over half of opponent's stolen-base attempts in his last three seasons (35 of 69, 50.7%) and caught 39 of 88 (44.3%) for his career.
Avitia signed with the Cubs in July of 2021 before a medical exam revealed an elbow issue that required surgery. He spent the last year recovering and rehabilitating from surgery while also serving as the Lopes' student assistant coach last season.
"I'm excited to get back to work and compete every day again," Avitia said. "It's obviously been a long path, but what matters is I'm here now. I have a great support system that has helped me a lot and that has really kept me going. Big thanks to that support that has been there every step of the way."
Avitia becomes the 19th non-drafted free-agent signing in program history. Right-handed pitcher Zach Barnes signed as a free agent last season, while infielders Cuba Bess and Drew Smith signed the year before. GCU also had four players selected in this year's MLB Draft.
"It's a great day for David and the Avitia family," GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said. "He's worked so hard for this opportunity, and it's great to see him get a shot to play professional baseball. The Chicago Cubs are getting an outstanding baseball player and first-class person."
A consolation for David's delay to the start of his professional career was getting to be alongside his younger brother, pitcher Daniel Avitia, for his first collegiate season.
"I love it so much," Daniel said of having his brother in the Lopes dugout after a 14-strikeout outing last season. "He always helps me out with everything. After the third inning, he told me what I was doing wrong. It's really lucky and fortunate that I have him there because he helps me out so much."
David — who was an All-WAC honorable mention as a senior in 2021 — got to watch his brother have a standout freshman campaign that resulted in accolades, including WAC Pitcher of the Year, WAC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American.
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