Westerfeld gets a shot

Travis Westerfeld, who hit .244 with nine RBIs in 32 games as a senior catcher for Vanguard University last season, has signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins’ rookie ball affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

Westerfeld made his professional debut on Tuesday as a late-inning defensive replacement. On Wednesday, he went one for one with an RBI in his first at-bat and, through Friday, is two for four with one RBI in four games. He made his first start Friday.

It’s an unlikely opportunity for Westerfeld, who aggressively pursued his dream of playing professional after his collegiate career.

He contacted scouts, attended open tryouts and sought opportunities in independent leagues after he was not drafted in June.

Convinced there was no baseball future, he took a job and began getting on with his life.

But then he got the call he had always dreamed of.

“It’s exciting and unbelievable,” Westerfeld said in a statement. “Baseball has been my dream for 20 years and I had kind of given up on it. Now this came practically out of nowhere, completely unexpected.”

Westerfeld has been granted a leave of absence by his employer in Orange County, where he will return after the Gulf Coast League season concludes on Aug. 21.

“I was always a nobody batting eighth, flying under the radar and quietly going about my business,” Westerfeld said. “I feel very blessed that this has happened and is working out. I’m excited, not nervous, and I have nothing to lose. I finally got [the chance] I wanted and now I’ll just see what happens.”