Cal's Stoecklein signs as free agent with Braves

California University baseball standout Brian Stoecklein is spending the week in Orlando, Fla., but it's not for a vacation.

Stoecklein, who set three school records the past season as a senior, is attending Atlanta's spring training site for a week-long minicamp at Disney World's Wide World of Sports Complex after signing a free agent contract with the Braves.

He will be assigned to either the Braves' Gulf Coast Rookie League team in Orlando or to their Rookie League team in Danville, Va.

Stoecklein, who played second, short and third for the Vulcans, set single-season records with 198 at bats, 81 hits and 18 doubles in 2003.

After sitting out the entire 2002 campaign and undergoing surgery, Stoecklein came back to lead the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in hitting (.409) and slugging percentage (.702).

His 28 doubles tied for second in NCAA Division II. He also had eight home runs, 56 RBI and three triples.

A transfer from St. Vincent College, Stoecklein was a two-time PSAC West and North Atlantic Region first teamer.