One of three transfers on the 2001 team, coming in from one of the nation's top junior college programs in Sacramento City College ... Could challenge for playing time at shortstop ... Has good speed, strength and athleticism ... Can also play second base, third base and even in the outfield ... A switch-hitter with good pop in his bat who can drive the ball from both sides of the plate ... Also handles the bat well ... Experienced at a high caliber junior college baseball program, which will help his transition to Pac-10 level play.
As A Junior In 2001 -Played in four games with one start (the season-opener at Cal Poly, 1/21) ... Had three at bats, scoring two runs, drawing one bat and executing one sacrifice.
At Sacramento City College in 1998 and 1999 - Played second base and hit .370 with 21 doubles, five triples and six home runs as a freshman in 1998 ... Selected Sacramento City College Athlete of the Year as a sophomore in 1999, playing excellent defense at shortstop and batting .325 with four home runs ... Helped the Panthers to state titles both years and a national championship in 1998.
High School - 1997 graduate of local baseball prep power Serra High School.
Summer Baseball - Has played the past three summers with the Brewster Whitecaps (1999) of the Cape Cod League and the Santa Barbara Foresters (1998, 2000).
Personal - Political Science major ... Son of Steve and Sue Gantenbein ... Hails from a baseball family as his grandfather, Joe Gantenbein, played Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics ... Cousin of former Stanford infielder Jay Pecci, a current minor leaguer who played in the Oakland Athletics' organization with the Double A Midland Rockhounds during the summer of 2000 ... Hobbies include surfing and computers ... Aspires to become a corporate lawyer ... Favorite professional sports team is the New York Yankees ... Earliest baseball memory was playing whiffle ball on his ranch as a youngster.