Official Draft Pick Selection / Signing Thread

[colbyjack]

Round 26: Ben Feltner - LF

5'11", 185, S/R - Texas A&M University (TX)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Brewerfan.net Scouting Report:

 

Feltner's best tool is his speed, and not only is he fast, but he is also very savvy on the basepaths, which makes him a threat at the top of any order. Despite his speed, his arm strength is lacking, which restricts him to left field. He also strikes out far too often for a hitter that doesn't have much power, and may be an organizational soldier in the mold of Terry Trofholz. Regardless of his ceiling, he could be a pest at the lower levels of the system, as his speed alone gives him value.

 

Born: 10-8-85

 

Texas A&M Player Profile

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

Aggies' Feltner hopes to steal Longhorns' thunder

 

Former Cedar Park player didn't start in high school; now he's in left field for A&M

By Alan Trubow

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

 

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

 

Ben Feltner's baseball career should have been over long ago. It should have vanished into thin air, along with the dreams of being an astronaut or Michael Jordan.

 

After all, high school baseball players who hit .200 and never start for a full season don't play Division I college baseball. Somehow, though, Feltner will be on the field this weekend when Texas takes on Texas A&M in a three-game series.

 

And he will be a pest.

 

Three years after graduating from Cedar Park High, where he was a self-described utility player, Feltner will return to the Austin area as the Aggies' starting left fielder and the Big 12's leader in stolen bases.

 

Quite a jump for the 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound speedster.

 

"When I was in high school, my coach told me that I would never be a college baseball player," Feltner said. "I didn't even start most of my senior year in high school. After a bad game I was benched and a sophomore took my place.

 

"Right out of high school, nobody would have guessed that I would have been playing here. It's pretty amazing."

 

Texas A&M (40-12, 13-10 Big 12) will try to ruin the Longhorns' shot at the Big 12 regular-season title when the series begins at 6 p.m. Friday in College Station, before returning to Austin for games on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Feltner, a junior, will play a big part for the Aggies. A junior who bats second, he has 27 stolen bases this season to lead Texas A&M, which has a conference-high 119 steals. Texas ranks second with 74.

 

The Aggies have three players ? Feltner, Brandon Hicks and Blake Stoeffer ? among the top five in steals in the Big 12. Feltner's the fastest.

 

"Ben's an exciting player to watch. By far and away, I think he's the fastest player in the Big 12," said Texas A&M coach Rob Childress. "The running game has been an important part of our offense this year. Last year we did it because we had to create opportunities. This year we're doing it because we want to put pressure on our opponents' pitchers and defense."

 

Feltner said, "It keeps them from throwing a lot of breaking balls and makes sure they can't put the ball in the dirt. Basically, they have to throw strikes."

 

It shows in the Aggies' team batting average of .322. Feltner has done his part, hitting .330 with 20 RBIs.

 

On the heels of his high school career, Feltner found his way onto the Temple College team after a tryout. As a freshman, he was used strictly as a pinch runner, but he continued to work hard.

 

"I never gave up. I used what my high school coach told me as motivation," Feltner said. "I was going to keep playing baseball and prove everybody wrong."

 

He did that in his sophomore season at the junior college. Feltner, a natural righty, started switch hitting under the advisement of his coach. Starting for the Leopards, he hit .377 and stole 39 bases.

 

"Everything turned around then. I had pro scouts contacting me," said Feltner, who was drafted in the 38th round by the Chicago Cubs in 2006. He passed on a pro contract to sign with A&M, and now looks forward to this weekend's games in Austin.

 

"It's going to be fun," he said. "I'll have a lot of friends and family there. Hopefully I'll be able to steal a few bases for them."

 

TEXAS A&M PHOTO:

 

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/08/52/98/image_5398528.jpg

[colbyjack]

Round 27: Joshua Trejo - LHP

6'1", 220, L/L - James Logan HS (CA)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Brewerfan.net Scouting Report:

 

Despite having pretty good stuff for a lefty, which includes a fastball that sits in the upper 80s as well as good very for a sharp breaking ball and a relatively advanced changeup, Trejo doesn't get high marks for his body type, built somewhat shorter and stout, with some worries that his body will only continue to get worse. A big-league conditioning program can help that concern, as Trejo pitched very well at last summer's Area Code Games, and the Brewers scouting staff got the best look of anyone at his performances serving as the coaches for the California based teams.

 

Born 8-15-89

 

UNION CITY, CA (near Fremont) ? After four years of varsity baseball, James Logan High's Josh Trejo, a left-handed pitcher, will have the opportunity to take it to the professional level if he elects.

 

Trejo was selected in the 27th round, the 821st overall pick, by the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

At Logan this season, Trejo compiled a 5-0 mark during Mission Valley Athletic League play with a 1.75 ERA. He had 42 strikeouts in 28 innings and allowed a mere seven earned runs.

 

Trejo helped guide the Colts to a 12-0 MVAL mark and a second straight league championship.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 28: Steffan Wilson - 3B

6'1", 220, R/R - Harvard University (MA)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 5-24-86

 

Harvard Player Page

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

By Guy Cipriano - gciprian@centredaily.com

Pennsylvania

 

The Milwaukee Brewers took State College graduate and Harvard junior third baseman Steffan Wilson in 28th round. Wilson was drafted for the first time.

 

Wilson was not surprised by the team that called his name.

 

Wilson said before the draft that the Brewers and Washington Nationals showed the most interest. The Brewers turned their interest into action when they used the 851st overall pick on Wilson who hit .331 with three homers this past season.

 

Wilson is the second member of his family to be drafted. Wilson's older brother, Jon Wilson, was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 27th round of the 2005 draft. Steffan is currently with the Wareham Gatemen in the Cap Cod League while Jon pitches for the Class A Bakersfield Blaze.

 

***

Same newspaper source, day prior

 

Two former Central Penn League standouts also could hear their names called today. State College graduate and Harvard junior Steffan Wilson and Philipsburg-Osceola graduate and West Virginia redshirt sophomore Adam White are draft eligible after posting solid numbers at Division I schools. Hollidaysburg third baseman Brett Weibley, a Kent State signee, also has a chance to be selected during the two-day, 50-round event.

 

"It's pretty cool seeing guys like that get recognition," said Wilson, who played against White and Devin Mesoraco in high school. "Pennsylvania is more spread out than most states and there's not a lot around even town-wise in the central part of the state. It's great for the small towns to have a lot of good players who go onto the next level."

 

White and Wilson's route to this point are stark contrasts to the one Mesoraco has experienced.

 

Wilson spent this year balancing draft talk with team goals.

 

Wilson, Baseball America's No. 4 prospect in Massachusetts, will enter the draft with no clear idea where he might be selected.

 

He recently attended a workout with the Nationals and has signed a temporary contract with the Wareham Gatemen of the prestigious Cape Cod League. Wilson was scouted heavily last summer when he hit .241 with 18 RBIs for Wareham.

 

Wilson, a third baseman, endured a challenging junior season. He broke the hamate bone in his hand and underwent surgery last December. He then hit .331 with three homers and 17 RBIs for a Harvard team that fell short of qualifying for NCAA regional play.

 

Wilson is hoping to become the second member of his family drafted. The Texas Rangers selected Wilson's older brother, Jon Wilson, in the 27th round of the 2005 draft. Jon is currently pitching for the Bakersfield Blaze of the Class A California League.

 

"This is sort of something you envision when you are real young," Steffan said. "As a freshman, it seemed a long way away and all you can do is take it one day at a time. When my brother got drafted, I was excited for him and I always hoped that I could follow in his footsteps. But a lot of things are up in the air. I have no idea who's going to call or even if I'm going to get called."

 

Wilson needs to complete two semesters to graduate. Harvard doesn't begin classes until mid-September meaning Wilson could play professionally this summer without missing the fall semester. Professional teams often include school expenses in contracts and Wilson said he will enter today "open-minded" about his future.

 

"I don't have it in my mind one way or another that this is what I'm doing," Wilson said. "I'm hoping I have a decision to make rather than have somebody else make one for me."

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 29: Travis Nevakshonoff - RHP

6'0", 180, R/R - DW Poppy Secondary School (Canada)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Brewerfan.net Scouting Report:

Nevakshonoff really helped himself this spring when he was converted to the mound after spending most of his young baseball career in the outfield. His fastball jumped up in velocity, sitting in the upper-80s and touching the low-90s, and many believe he will continue to add more ticks to his fastball and he acclimates himself even more to pitching at the next level. Despite the fact that pitching is relatively new to him, he seemed to be a fast study, and showed the ability to throw strikes not only with his fastball, but also with an improving and encouraging slider and changeup. He is also a good overall athlete, and could be a sleeper to watch.

 

Born: 7-22-89

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 30: Corey Frerichs - RHP

5'11", 200, R/R - Temple College (TX)

 

http://www.temple-telegram.com/archives/clphotos/pic38036.jpg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 5-07-86

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 31: Jonathan Clarence- LHP

6'3", 190 Lbs, R/L - Columbus North High School (IN)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 10-21-88

 

Clarence's college commitment is to play at Division I University of Louisville. The Brewers would need to sign him away from that.

 

From Blaine Clemmens of Perfect Game: Early Projection, Dec. '05

 

There were a couple of other players on the Mustangs that I liked as quality ballplayers, but one young pitcher in particular was intriguing to me; '07 LHP Jon Clarence (6'2" 175, Columbus North HS). Clarence is not yet a hard thrower, but he is a lean and long bodied pitcher with a good, rhythmic delivery. He pitches from an over the top slot with a long arm action and creates some deception because hitters do not pick up the ball well against him. I spoke to some of the Bandits players and that was what they indicated to me after I asked them what made Clarence so difficult to hit. The ball came out of his hand easily, making his fastball a bit sneaky. Looking at his body, including his shoulders, there is certainly some projectability with him.

 

I saw Clarence in the 80-83 range with the fastball, but was more impressed with the way he was able to pound the zone down and away from right hand hitters. He tilted the fastball through the zone and had some natural arm side action on it. His breaking ball was an overhand curveball (67-68 mph) with decent spin and big shape. Clarence also showed feel of a usable change-up (73 mph) with some arm side movement. Put him down on your '07 LHP follow list, he will keep getting better.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 32: Miguel Vasquez - SS

6'1, 190, R/R - Seminole Community College (FL)

 

http://www.scc-fl.edu/athletics/baseball/media/miguel_vasquez.jpg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Seminole CC Player Profile

 

Birthdate: 11/25/1986

 

A 17th round pick of the Royals in 2005 out of his New York high school, did not sign as a draft-and-follow

 

Bronx Article From 2005 about that Draft Day, provides some background

 

Lively, athletic body w/ strong forearms. Quick, compact swing w/ a level stroke. Can go deep in the hole and make strong throws. Has easy, fluid actions on the field, w/ both reliable hands and good range. Make-up on and off the field is great.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 33: Ryan Jensen - CF

5'10", 180, L/R - Walnut Grove, British Columbia

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 9-21-88

 

Jensen is a power bat who played for the Langley Blaze, a premier club team out of British Columbia, Canada.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 34: Casey Baron - LHP

6'2", 200, L/L - University of Maryland

 

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/md/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/482788.jpeg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 11-29-84

 

Maryland Player Profile

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 35: Curtis Rindal - 1B

6'3", 215, R/R - University of Washington

 

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/wash/sports/m-basebl/auto_headshot/752117.jpeg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 9-15-83

 

Washington Player Profile

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

Rindal Keeps It Simple At First Base

 

Mt. Vernon native is lone Husky senior

April 19, 2007

By James Schleicher

The Daily (University of Washington)

 

With two men on base in the ninth inning of a game against UC Riverside, Husky first baseman Curt Rindal stepped up to the plate against pitcher Joe Kelly, who had yet to have a run scored against him this season. After fouling off pitch after pitch, Rindal finally saw the one he wanted and blasted it through the gap between short and third.

 

The ball streamed out onto the grass as Jake Rife rounded third and scored the winning run to complete a three-game sweep of UCR.

 

This is a perfect example of what Rindal does best.

 

"I was just trying to fight there with two strikes," Rindal said. "He hung one up and I did what I did with it."

 

With a closer look at what this 23-year-old redshirt senior does during every at-bat, one can see that hitting is almost second nature to him now. His physical ability, organization, ability to take advice and use it and spirit of competition all play a role.

 

One of the biggest forces comes in his ability to push himself. But to him the formula has all been simplified.

 

When he talks about hitting, his smile seems to echo his love of the game and the challenges it gives him.

 

"I like competing, but the thing I like most is hitting," Rindal said. "I love to hit, and man, I like hitting home runs. It's always been something I've worked at and gotten better at, and I think that's why I play, maybe, is to hit."

 

Before Rindal even steps into the batter's box, he takes a few deep breaths to calm himself and focus on the task at hand.

 

"All I'm thinking is, get my foot down and go," Rindal said.

 

This calmness and focus may have developed on the Skagit River while fishing quietly with his father and brothers. He may have learned it while sitting nearby in a marsh, hunting ducks with lifelong friend Travis Storrer. It shows in the most pressure-filled situations, as Rindal seems to just calmly stay focused on connecting with the ball.

 

He usually sees it pretty well. This eye for the ball comes from some 15 years of having pitches thrown to him. It shows in his .346 batting average.

 

At age 8, Rindal started playing baseball and met Storrer. The two would soon become almost inseparable. They started playing on the same baseball team at age 10, when they outgrew slow pitch and started playing fast pitch with the older 12-year-olds.

 

In their free time, the two would almost inevitably end up hitting balls in Storrer's barn, where he had a batting cage, or in Rindal's rec room, where he had a pitching machine for wiffle balls.

 

"He'd come over and we'd want to go do something, and we'd wind up just staying up there and hitting," Rindal said. "We'd make games of it and that's where we got the most practice."

 

Rindal's mother Teresa said the two were characters.

 

"They would egg each other on, and it was kind of like `iron sharpens iron,'" she said. "They would practice, and shoot these fly balls up in space, and then they'd practice catching fly balls."

 

Rindal said playing baseball has always been an activity he loved to do.

 

"It was never something we were forced to do at all, and I think that's why I'm still playing it," Rindal said. "That's what makes it fun, that you can't take it too serious. I look forward to going out and playing [in the big leagues]."

 

Now years later, all the hard work has obviously paid off. Rindal leads the Huskies in home runs (8), RBI (37) and hits (47).

 

"He's always been a hard worker," Storrer said. "He's got a really good strong family background, and he believes in the Lord. He's just an all-around great guy."

 

Along with their hours upon hours of hitting practice, Rindal and Storrer also played other sports to stay in shape for baseball during high school. At Mount Vernon High, they played doubles tennis, where they won a league championship, and played on the basketball team.

 

Then, of course, came baseball in the spring, where both played pivotal roles in helping their team to two top-five finishes in the state.

 

Teresa Rindal said her son's competitive nature and athletic ability showed up at an early age.

 

"His brothers, if they would race, they all had to have numbers, they had to have a start and finish line," she said. "He was always competitive."

 

Growing up as the middle child in a pack of five, Curt had the best of both worlds. His older brother and sister set the example for him and gave him a way to follow, while he tried to lead his two younger brothers.

 

"At home he's just a hard worker; his dad taught him how to work hard and re-finish [his] desk and do things like that," Storrer said.

 

His mother homeschooled the five children through eighth grade and taught them how to motivate themselves and take initiative. Along with school lessons, the Rindals taught their children how to work by teaching them to do jobs like mowing the fields on their 28-acre property in Conway, Wash., or cleaning their father's chiropractic clinic.

 

"We just had opportunities for them to learn how to work and have a job," she said. "His dad was always out with them showing them what to do, and then they could go do that."

 

Instead of mentioning professional baseball players or coaches, Rindal said that his dad was the person he looked up to the most in life.

 

"He's been a big influence in my life, teaching me about hard work and having a work ethic," Rindal said.

 

This work ethic shows both on and off the field. Rindal earned his economics degree in four years, despite the demands of baseball practice and games.

 

Last year, when Rindal did not get picked up in the Major League draft, teams told him that the biggest factor for not picking him was history. Despite the fact he was All-Pac-10, he had only one big year in the Husky lineup because of his sophomore year injury. He played backup to Kyle Larsen his junior year.

 

"I had a good year and played well enough that I figured I would get picked up, and once I didn't it was disappointing," Rindal said. "I had to make that decision to come back, but at this point I still want to keep playing. I still want to pursue it, but if I don't [get picked], I've done everything I can."

 

This year, as the Huskies' lone senior, most of his longtime friends on the team have graduated and been drafted.

 

"It's different not having any of those guys I've been playing with for years," Rindal said. "But it's been great; I like the guys that I'm playing with. I'm glad to be back and still be playing."

 

On the team, he has led by example with his hard work at the plate and good defense at first. The draft in June sits on the horizon, but before that he will try to make sure the Huskies make the playoffs - he'll see what happens from there.

 

If he makes it, Rindal looks forward to playing even more and finding new challenges at the next level. If he does not get drafted, he said he plans to take a break and enjoy his free time.

 

"I haven't had any free time for awhile," Rindal said. "I've never had a spring break in my entire life. I don't even know what it is."

 

Not knowing what the future will hold, Rindal will continue step to the plate and try to keep it simple.

 

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/wash/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/1065435.jpeg

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 36: Curtis Pasma - LHP

6'0", 206, L/L - University of Pacific

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 9-19-85

 

Pacific Player Profile

 

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Pasma in 36th round. Curtis joined Pacific prior to the 2005 season after two seasons at Reedley College. Pasma concluded his Pacific career with a 6-8 combined record, four saves and a 4.38 ERA. Curtis closed the 2007 season as the Tigers leader in victories with three and closed out the season with two complete games during his final six outings. Pasma recorded 108 strikeouts and just 42 walks in 129.1 innings.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

Recordnet.com

 

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Curtis Pasma, a senior pitcher from Pacific, in the 40th round with the 1,086th pick.

 

Pasma intends to sign with the Brewers.

 

Pasma felt fortunate to be drafted following a 16-43 season at Pacific.

 

"It's kind of like a happy, shocking feeling, and kind of a feeling of relief, too," said Pasma, who went 3-6 with a 4.50 ERA this season. "It hasn't fully hit me yet, but it's nice."

[colbyjack]

Round 37: Richard Hague - SS

6'1", 180, R/R - Klein Collins HS (TX)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Brewerfan.net Scouting Report:

 

Hague is a very good overall athlete, with a projectably and wiry frame that leads many to believe his best days of baseball are ahead of him. He excels on defense at the shortstop position, where he shows exceptional range, soft hands, and a strong arm, and looks like a natural playing the position.

 

His bat shows promise as well, with a line drive, gap-to-gap approach and budding power potential, however, many believe he will honor his strong college commitment to Rice. It was believed entering the draft that it would take money comparable to a sandwich or second-round selection for him to go pro, so as a 37th rounder it seems extremely unlikely that he will end up signing. Look for his name in the 2010 draft.

 

Born 9-18-88

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 38: Kurt Crowell - OF

6'3", 215, R/R - Cal State Los Angeles

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born: 9-21-84

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 39: Joseph Scott - SS

6'0", 185, R/R - Cal State Fullerton (CA)

 

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/m-basebl/auto_headshot/606253.jpeg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Cal State Fullerton Player Profile

 

Redshirt sophomore

 

Birthdate: 8/22/1986

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 40: Jordan Tanner - RHP

6'4", 190, R/R - Neshannock High School (PA)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 6-08-89

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Neshannock's Tanner among selections on MLB draft's second day

 

By The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Saturday, June 9, 2007

 

When Jordan Tanner went to bed Friday morning at 5 after graduating from Neshannock High School, he had no idea he would wake up 12 hours later as a professional baseball player.

 

Tanner, a pitcher and the grandson of former Pirates manager Chuck Tanner, was taken in the 40th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He was the 1,198th player selected.

 

"I got the call at 5:50, not five minutes after I woke up," said Tanner, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander who was 3-1 this season.

 

Tanner said he wasn't sure he would be drafted.

 

"Some people had talked to my grandfather, but I had more wishful thinking, hoping I would get drafted."

 

Tanner, whose father Bruce is a former Pirates bullpen coach and currently serves as an advance scout for the Detroit Tigers, has not picked a college and is undecided about his future.

 

"I'm waiting to talk to one of the scouts for the Brewers and see what they have to say and go from there," he said.

 

Tanner said he wasn't pushed into baseball by his father and grandfather.

 

"I always loved playing. It has never been something they made me do."

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 41: Adam Arnold - RHP

6'0", 185, R/R - Thompson River University (Canada)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Brewerfan.net Scouting Report:

Arnold is the exact opposite of fellow Canadian draftee Travis Nevakshonoff. While Nevakshonoff has shown an advanced knowledge of pitching with a solid repertoire despite being relatively new to the bump, Arnold has been doing his thing for a few years now, yet is on the shorter side, and doesn't have much other than his fastball. His fastball is a very good pitch though, touching the mid-90s and sitting in the low-90s. He may be groomed for the late innings, but he really needs to develop something other than his heater, while also honing his command and overall control, to enjoy success in any role.

 

Born 5-15-86

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 42: Chase Reid - RHP

6'3", 195, L/R - Carroll High School (TX)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 5-17-88

 

Vanderbilt Recruit -- Vandy's Site:

 

Chase is one of the top pitchers in Texas and is regarded as having one of the best curveballs in the country. At 6'3'' 195 pounds, he dominated summer competition for the elite Dallas Mustangs, including throwing a perfect game in a regional semifinal game in the Connie Mack playoffs this past July. Chase is the No. 381 overall player in the nation by Perfect Game, USA, and chose Vanderbilt over Stanford, TCU and Arkansas.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

SportsDay baseball player of the week: Chase Reid

 

Away from the game: Southlake Carroll's Chase Reid

[colbyjack]

Round 43: Cullen Sexton - RHP

6'2", 190, R/R - Stevens Point High School (WI)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 7-22-88

 

College commitment is to the University of Minnesota.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

SIGNED

 

Round 44: Shawn Zarraga - C

6'1", 218, R/R - Trinity Christian Academy (FL)

 

Photo by Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post

 

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/04/29/47/image_3947294.jpg

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 1-21-89

 

College commitment is to UNC Greensboro.

 

UNC Greensboro Draft Day Article

 

"Shawn Zarraga was named the Small School Player of the Year for the second straight year by the Palm Beach (FL) Post. Zarraga, who speaks four languages including his native Aruba, hit .621 this season with five home runs, 47 RBI and 49 runs scored. He also helped out on the other side of the battery this season, working 16 innings as a pitcher with a 3-0 mark and a 0.43 ERA. He struck out 32 in those 16 innings. He fired a one-hitter in the regional finals against defending state champion Miami-Brito and followed that up with a four-hitter in Trinity Christian?s 2-1 win over Lake Mary Prep in the state semifinals."

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

 

Link to June 3, 2007 article, text follows:

 

Small schools player of the year

 

By Steve Dorsey

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Shawn Zarraga plans to major in sports medicine at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where the Trinity Christian Academy graduate will play baseball. That's provided his current plans are not derailed by a professional contract.

 

Zarraga is expected to be selected in the baseball amateur draft this week. What round remains to be seen, but the way Zarraga sees it, he's in a win-win situation regardless of what transpires in the next few days.

 

"My future will be decided that day," Zarraga said, referring to draft day. "It doesn't really matter what round I go. The money I'm offered is what is going to decide for me."

 

If the money isn't right, Zarraga gladly will pack his bags for UNC-Greensboro to play baseball and pursue his degree. He said he wants to study sports medicine because he loves science. He's also a math whiz.

 

"I love science and I'm great with numbers," said Zarraga, who graduated from Trinity Christian with a 3.6 GPA and speaks four languages, including Papiamento, the language of his native Aruba.

 

Zarraga certainly has figured out the science of hitting, and there's proof in his stats. Zarraga repeated as small schools baseball Player of the Year after batting .621 with five home runs, 47 RBI and 49 runs scored.

 

Zarraga told his coach, Miguel Cuello, at the beginning of the season that he wanted to pitch any important games that had playoff ramifications. Cuello obliged and Zarraga delivered, going 3-0 with an 0.43 ERA and 32 strikeouts in just 16 innings.

 

So there was no discussion as to who would be on the mound when Trinity reached the regional finals. Zarraga again came through, pitching a one-hitter against defending Class 1A state champion Miami-Brito, and three days later, tossed a four-hitter in Trinity's 2-1 win against Lake Mary Prep in the state semifinals in Sarasota.

 

The following day, Trinity's bid for its first state title was denied by Jacksonville-Eagle's View. Zarraga put the disappointment in perspective in the post-game press conference.

 

"It's just a baseball game," he said. "It's not the end of the road for any of us."

 

The next road Zarraga will take soon will be determined. If he is as successful as the one he has traveled thus far, it promises to be a great trip.

 

***

Link to May 2007 article, text follows:

 

Trinity Christian's Zarraga at home anywhere on the field

 

By Steve Dorsey

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Monday, May 14, 2007

 

Shawn Zarraga and Trinity Christian Academy were on their way to defeating defending state champion Miami-Brito on Tuesday when the Brito pitcher threw two pitches at Zarraga, both in the area of his head.

 

It was the second time in the game that Brito pitchers had thrown at Zarraga to back him off the plate or perhaps just intimidate the Warriors' best hitter.

 

The following inning, when Zarraga was on the mound, one of his pitches nicked the shirt of a Brito batter about belt-high, sending him to first base. Zarraga walked over to first and apologized to the player, telling him it was unintentional.

 

Amid the emotion and pressure of a regional championship, Zarraga remained composed and helped carry Trinity to the Class 1A state final four tournament, which begins today in Sarasota.

 

"A lot of guys wouldn't do that," Trinity head coach Miguel Cuello said of Zarraga's gesture.

 

"I'm not that type of player," Zarraga said, referring to retaliation.

 

Zarraga's statistics speak volumes about his playing ability - .615 batting average, five home runs, 52 RBI and a 4-0 pitching record with an ERA of 0.30. Cuello said it's all the other things Zarraga does that make him such a complete player.

 

"He has all five tools: speed, hitting, everything," Cuello said. "He knows how to play the game."

 

He's also one of the area's most versatile players and has played all nine positions.

 

Zarraga, who has signed with UNC-Greensboro, was Trinity's starting third baseman during his freshman and sophomore years. Last year, however, the team did not have a seasoned catcher. Zarraga volunteered to fill the void, then proceeded to have a phenomenal season that earned him The Post's small schools player of the year.

 

"It was like he had been there all his life," Cuello said of Zarraga's switch to behind the plate. "He pays attention to everything you tell him, even though he's a great player and he's got scouts looking at him all the time."

 

Cuello said that when this season began, Zarraga told him he also wanted to be on the mound in important games, such as last week's regional championship in Miami. Cuello obliged, and Zarraga pitched a one-hitter in Trinity's 8-1 win against Brito, avenging last year's 8-0 loss to Brito in the regional finals.

 

Cuello said a scout for the Chicago White Sox saw enough of Zarraga on the mound to suggest they might list him as a pitching prospect for next month's major-league amateur draft.

 

"I told him, 'You should see him play third base,' " Cuello said.

 

Many opposing teams tried to pitch around Zarraga this season, or at least not give him anything good to swing at when he was at the plate.

 

That was not a solution to beating Trinity, however. Senior first baseman Santos Avila, who bats behind Zarraga, has a .542 batting average with 40 RBI, and six other starters have at least 27 RBI.

 

"It's not only about me and Shawn," Avilo said. "In the beginning, there was a lot of pressure on me and Shawn to produce, but after we lost to Brito (3-1) in the fourth game, we came together as a team, and that took a lot of pressure off me and Shawn."

 

When the pressure is on, however, Zarraga usually is at his best, as defending state champion Brito found out this past week.

 

***

Link to June 2006 article, text follows:

 

Palm Beach Small Schools Player of the Year

 

Shawn Zarraga, Trinity Christian

By Steve Dorsey

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Sunday, June 18, 2006

 

At 6-feet-1 and 205 pounds, Shawn Zarraga doesn't look like a typical table tennis player. Looks, however, can be deceiving, and Zarraga welcomes a pingpong challenge any time, anywhere.

 

"Losing is not an option for me," Zarraga said when it comes to playing the game he learned as a kid growing up in Aruba.

 

"My dad had a table in our house and we played all the time, but I never beat my dad."

 

Zarraga attributes the concentration he derives from playing pingpong in part to his success as a baseball player.

 

"It's great for hand-eye coordination," the Trinity Christian junior catcher said.

 

Hard to argue with that assessment because Zarraga led the area this season with an eye-popping .714 batting average, a statistic so phenomenal that even Zarraga said he never imagined he'd hit that well.

 

"I didn't dream that at all," said Zarraga, The Palm Beach Post small schools Player of the Year.

 

"I spent a lot of time in the (batting) cage and was seeing the ball better and my confidence level was high, but I just wanted to hit over .500."

 

Zarraga also worked out more and went on a diet, giving up most of his favorite sweets and dropping 25 pounds from the previous season. He also played soccer, another sport he learned in Aruba.

 

In fact, "versatile" is a perfect word to describe Zarraga. His primary position is catcher, but he's played every position, including pitcher.

 

"Wherever they want to play me, I'll play," said Zarraga, who also had 30 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

 

No wonder college and professional scouts already have shown interest.

[colbyjack]

Round 45: Matt Sergey - RHP

6'4", 170, R/R - South Plantation High School (FL)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 7-29-89

 

A report from November 2006 indicated that Sergey signed with Broward Community College. Unlike previous JUCO's, the Brewers won't be able to follow Sergey through spring 2008 as a draft-and-follow.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 46: Stewart Ijames - RF

6'1", 195, L/R - Owensboro Catholic High School (KY)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 8-21-88

 

Ijames' college commitment is to play at Division I University of Louisville. The Brewers would need to sign him away from that.

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 47: Aaron Tullo - RHP

6'3", 195, R/R - St. Petersburg Junior College (FL)

 

NOTES & INFO:

 

Born 3-09-88

 

Link to last year's Brewerfan coverage on Tullo

 

NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE:

[colbyjack]

Round 48: Pass

[colbyjack]

Round 49: Pass

[colbyjack]

Round 50: Pass