FREEPORT — If Ryan Siegel is on a path to the major leagues, part of it will lead through Pullman Park.

A 2010 Freeport graduate and freshman outfielder at Coastal Carolina University, Siegel will play for the Butler BlueSox this summer.

“We want speed in the outfield, and Ryan or (Notre Dame outfielder) Brett Basilone will be the fastest player on our team,” BlueSox manager Anthony Rebyanski said.

Siegel was a four-year starter at Freeport, stealing more than 40 bases without ever being caught. He hit about 16 home runs as well.

Siegel batted .521 with seven doubles, four homers, 23 RBI and 16 stolen bases during his senior season. He led Freeport to a 15-2 overall record and the team's first section title since 1998.

“This was the type of collegiate program I was looking for because I want to get drafted into pro ball eventually,” he said.

Siegel posted a 4.1 grade point average to graduate No. 1 in his high school class last spring.

Coastal Carolina is ranked 24th in the NCAA baseball preseason poll. The Chanticleers ended last season ranked No. 11, posting a 55-10 record while setting a Big South Conference record for most wins in a season.

“The coaches down there seem to indicate that Ryan will get some playing time as a freshman this spring,” Rebyanski said.

Siegel said there are no plans for him to be redshirted.

“I've been in the weight room because I believe I have the combination of power and speed scouts are looking for. I want to maintain those skills and build on them,” he said.

Siegel steadily improved throughout high school, batting .408 as a sophomore and .457 his junior season.

Bruce Yard, a health and physical education teacher at Freeport Junior High, has been working with Siegel's baseball skills for eight years. Yard is a former shortstop who played at Class AA in the Los Angeles Dodgers system.

“Ryan is a true student of the game,” Yard said. “He loves baseball. When he's not working on his game, he's studying film and breaking things down.”

Besides his speed and power, Siegel is a good fielder with a strong arm.

Rebyanski expects Siegel to get plenty of playing time with the BlueSox.

“He's a left-handed bat with some pop. That and his speed lend itself to that big ballpark,” he said.