(Staff) The only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season is retiring from professional baseball in order to enter the priesthood. Outfielder Grant Desme, 23, a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, startled the sports world when he announced his career change.

The Californian began his professional baseball career with the Short-Season Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League in 2007. In 2009, Desme had what many called a break-out season. He hit a combined .288 with 31 doubles, six triples, 31 home runs, 89 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 131 games with the Class-A Kane County Cougars and the Class-A Advanced Stockton Ports.

On Jan. 22 Desme announced that he plans to enter a Roman Catholic seminary this summer. “I was doing well at baseball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things -- I love the game, but I aspire to higher things. I wasn't at peace where I was at. I have no regrets.