"While it certainly has been a long process, we are extremely pleased to add one of the premier amateur pitchers in the country to our organization," said Stoneman. "Jered's natural abilities and competitive nature are traits we anticipate will result in a long and successful career."

Weaver, 22, finished his collegiate career with a 37-9 record with a 2.43 ERA (100 ER -- 370 IP) in his three seasons at Long Beach State. He allowed 248 hits and 73 walks while posting a school-record 431 career strikeouts. Weaver, who is the career leader for the Big West Conference and 49ers in victories, is a two-time first team All-American and co-Big West Player of the Year (along with teammate Abe Alvarez in 2003 and Cal State Fullerton's Jason Windsor in 2004)

In his junior season, the 6-7, 210-pound Weaver went 15-1 with a 1.62 ERA (26 ER -- 144 IP) with three complete games in 19 starts for the 49ers in 2004. He allowed 31 runs, 81 hits and 21 walks while striking out 213 batters, setting new conference and school records for single season strikeouts (No. 6 in the NCAA). He had 14 games with 10 strikeouts-or-more. Weaver, who limited opponents to a .162 batting average, led the nation in wins and strikeouts and ranked third in ERA. He led Long Beach State (40-21) to a NCAA Division I Super Regional finish in 2004.

Weaver, who won a record six Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Player of the Week Awards and 13 Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, also won eight National Player of the Year Awards (Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Award, Roger Clemens Award, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, NCBWA, ABCA and Collegebaseballinsider.com) in 2004.

Highlights from Weaver's 2004 season include: striking out the first 10 USC batters (including four in the third inning), Feb. 13; striking out the first 10 BYU batters and 15 overall, March 5; tying the school record for strikeouts in a game with 16, March 24 vs. Wichita State and then setting a school career strikeout record with 17, May 7 vs. Pacific; and pitching two consecutive complete games, May 4 vs. UCR and May 7 vs. Pacific. His lone loss came May 29th at No. 3-ranked Miami (6.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 11 K).

Born Oct. 4, 1982 in Northridge, CA, Weaver is a native of Simi Valley, CA, where he lettered three years in baseball and two in basketball at Simi Valley High. He earned All-CIF, All-League and first team All-L.A. Times honors in baseball. His brother, Jeff, is a pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers while his cousin Jed plays football for the San Francisco 49ers and his cousin Dan played football at Oregon (2000-03).

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.