VALPARAISO | After weighing his options, Bryce Shafer decided to chase his dream rather than return to Valparaiso for his senior season.

The Horizon League Pitcher of the Year signed with the Cubs late last month after being selected in the 49th round of the Major League Baseball Draft in June.

Shafer made his professional debut last Wednesday in the Arizona League, walking the first batter he faced and giving up a run off a triple. Shafer also recorded a strikeout.

"This was probably one of the toughest decisions that I ever made," Shafer said. "I spoke to my parents and asked a bunch of outside sources for advice."

Shafer, who was hoping to get drafted in the first 20 rounds, will play rookie ball in Mesa until the season ends at the end of this month and hopes to earn a promotion to Single-A Peoria.

"This has all been pretty cool so far," Shafer said. "The first day I got here and saw all the guys with Cubs jerseys on, I knew it was for real."

Shafer's tough decision came down to leaving for the Cubs or returning to Valparaiso where the senior-to-be would've had a chance to improve his draft status and come closer to earning a college degree.

"I just saw this as an opportunity," Shafer said. "If I would've come back as a senior, I could've got drafted higher, but I wouldn't have made as much money. I'm younger, and this gives me more chances. I was just ready to go."

Shafer stated that he wasn't permitted to disclose his salary per team rules.

Shafer's departure will leave a void in the Valparaiso pitching staff that coach Tracy Woodson hopes to fill with a talented class of freshmen, including LaPorte's Kevin Upp.

"It's a dent, but I still think we have our best team returning that we've had since I got here," Woodson said.

"We have some good arms that are coming in, and now there are roughly 115 to 120 innings that are available."

Shafer had 121 strikeouts in just over 100 innings this season and went 18-12 over his three-year career with the Crusaders.