An ordeal Jankowski now chalks up to a miscommunication cost him the chance to pitch in the Division II College World Series but ultimately solidified his draft stock with the team that selected him and, five years later, promoted him to the major leagues. Reached by phone Thursday, Catawba coach Jim Gantt said the decision was made because NCAA rules at the time stipulated a college player lost his eligibility if he worked out for a professional team before his college season ended. Jankowski signed for $2,000, the typical $1,000 offered to seniors drafted in the later rounds plus an additional $1,000 the Astros gave him as reimbursement for his travel. [...] looking back, Jankowski will never truly know whether he ever would have sniffed the major leagues if he hadn't booked a flight and attended that pre-draft workout.