Northport's Ian Dickson Signs With Chicago Cubs

Former Northport pitcher 's dream of becoming a pro ball player came to fruition on Aug. 15 when he officially signed with the Chicago Cubs after being chosen in the 35th round of the MLB draft in June.

Dickson said that the Cubs made their initial offer about a week before the deadline, but he held out for more. 

“I wanted to sign since I was drafted, that was always the goal,” he said. “I always thought it would come down to the last minute and hopefully we would get the best offer possible.”

While Dickson would not divulge the exact number, he said his deal with the Cubs was above what Major League Baseball suggests for a 35th round pick.

Dickson flew out to Mesa, Ariz. Tuesday where he will report to the Cubs rookie-level team. After filling out paperwork and getting a physical, Dickson will begin his professional preparation for a big league career.

Dickson's career began in Northport where he played with the Little League and later with the baseball team where he pitched until graduation in 2008. Dickson pitched for Lafayette College in Easton, Penn. until his Junior year when he was chosen for the draft. In 2010, he appeared in 18 games, pitching 23.1 innings, and struck out 23 batters while allowing 36 hits and pitching to a 7.71 ERA.

His 6-foot-5 frame projects to add more bulk and power, and he already has the mental side of pitching down.

“I like having to out-think opponents and out-perform them in order to succeed,” he said. “I like that he’s trying to guess what I’m throwing and I take that into account and try to outsmart him and then execute the pitch to get him out.”

Now that he has signed with the Cubs, Dickson can get back on the pitching mound to do what he’s been doing nearly his whole life: going toe-to-toe, squaring off, and pitting his best stuff against their best stuff.