Diamond Notes October 2005
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October 31, 2005 Hurricane Wilma has thrown a curve ball to one of the nation's top scouting events. The World Wood Bat Association (A division of Perfect Game) was forced to move its World Championship showcase tournament from this past weekend to November 18-21 due to damage from the storm. The event, held annually in Jupiter, Florida is widely regarded as the top scouting event in the nation and attracts several hundred coaches and scouts. The new date of the event causing one major difficulty for Division 1 college coaches. November 11 marks the beginning of "Quiet Period" (November 11, 2005- February 28, 2006), when coaches are not allowed to conduct any recruiting activities off campus, including player evaluations. Therefore, no D1 coaches can attend the event. The NCAA is apparently being lobbied to issue a waiver for this event and Perfect Game is scrambling to keep the field of teams intact. Stay tuned for more. There are no Arizona teams scheduled to play in the event. Incidentally, last season's tournament had to be moved across the state at the last minute due to hurricane damage. |
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October 27, 2005 Desert Mountain Coach Bryan Rice is stranded in Cancun with his family in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma. Coach Rice was scheduled to accompany his Desert Mountain Wolves team to Las Vegas this weekend for the Desert Fall Classic. Please join me in wishing Coach Rice and his family a safe return to the valley. Blaine Clemmons, who has served as the National Scouting Director for showcase company Team One Baseball, has recently resigned to take a post with rival showcase firm Perfect Game. I expect PG, who is based in Iowa but has firmly established roots in the southeast U.S., to continue to make a big push to establish a stronger presence in the western U.S. The baseball gods have once again gone out of their way to poke fun at yours truly. As many of you know, I've spent most of my life in Texas but was actually born in the Chicago area, where I lived as a young boy. On the surface, a Texas/Chicago World Series would seem to be a dream. Unfortunately, as a boy I was a hard core Cub fan who was scarred by the collapse of 1969, and moved to the Dallas area at the age of 11 as the former Washington Senators were being reincarnated as the Texas Rangers. |
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October 26, 2005 Congrats to Adam Bailey of Chaparral who has verbally committed to Arizona State. Adam is a solid bat from the left side who should fit into the Devils' outfield plans. In addition, he should see some time as a left hander out of the bullpen. I apparently spoke out of turn last week with my comments regarding the coaching attendance at this years Senior fall classic. According to Ted Heid, the organizer of the long time event and a great supporter of Arizona baseball, attendance was actually up this year in both number of coaches and number of schools attending. The breakdown: 2004- 111 schools with 197 coaches In addition, there are undoubtedly a number of schools who don't sign in on arrival and are therefore unknown. I think I got one thing right, however: the event is arguably the top scouting event of its kind west of the Mississippi river. Some particularly noteworthy performances were turned in by a number of players this weekend at the Junior Fall Classic. In the Junior Division, All Star Baseball compiled a 5-1 record and a second place finish. Key performers included: PITCHING In the Sophomore Division, the AZBA Scorpions also took second place. Key performers included: Lou McAnany lhp Camelback H.S. 08 pitched 6 shut out innings over two games couple of big hits and played first base |
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October 24, 2005 The Junior Fall Classic is in the books, and once again the Arizona contingent made a very nice showing in both the Junior and the Sophomore divisions.
(photo Mike McKindles) In the Junior Division, All Star Baseball Academy advanced to the title game before falling to a strong Orange County Waves team. In addition, Rocky Mountain Baseball academy Blue lost to the Waves in their semi-final match. RM Blue's Andrew Allen (Desert Vista) legs out a ground ball (Photo Mike McCindles)
In the sophomore division, The AZBA Scorpions fell in the title game to the champion Albuquerque Baseball Academy. Both the Arizona Boys of Baseball and the All Star Baseball Academy squads finished the weekend with 3-1 records in the soph division. It's worth noting that the All Star Baseball group that competed in the sophomore division was made up of 2 sophomores and the rest freshman. The entire team was league age 15 and 14. ASBA's Jack Diamond (Chap 09) lays down the sac bunt
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October 21,2005 The 2005 World Series is carrying quite an Arizona theme this year, particularly on the Chicago side. Chaparral grad Paul Konerko earned ALCS MVP honors after cranking 4 home runs in the series. In addition, White Sox Major League Scouting Director Gary Pellant is a Tempe resident and his son Kirby is a freshman at Corona Del Sol. Finally,White Sox GM Kenny Williams is that father of Kyle Williams, a Chaparral 2005 middle infielder and ASU commit as a tailback in football. I know I've been a little quiet in regards to mentioning players in recent months. Frankly, I felt a little behind the curve this fall after my summer absence. Missing the early summer ball (Junior Olympics, Connie Mack) set me back a little but I think I'm getting a better read recently. Here's some guys who deserve some mention: * Jesus Arzaga-2006 Middle Infielder Westwood. Has been lights out defensively for All Star baseball this fall and really opened some D1 eyes last weekend at the Senior Classic. I've loved this kid since early in his sophomore year. * Quinton Marsh- 2006 LHP Wickenburg. I saw him in the spring at the 3A tournament and then again a few weeks ago with the Angels Scout team. Recently he was 84 from the left side with a very handy change with a nice tail to it. * Dominic Piazza-2006 Catcher Notre Dame. A guy who has always been on the fringe of my lists, frankly because I've seen so little of him. I still don't have a great feel for him behind the dish, but he swings it well enough from the left side to warrant some serious love. Shows some good wood bat pop from a short, connected stroke. * Ryan Carlson 2006 Catcher/1B/Util Paradise Valley. Seeing time behind the dish for Joe Lefebre and the D'Back's scout team, although he isn't the primary catcher at his HS. He's built like a truck at 6-3 220 and shows a plus arm. At the plate he's got power and squares a lot of balls. * Chris Rouches- 2006 OF/IF Cactus. Has played 1B at Cactus in the past but he's a 6.8 6 guy and athletic. Swings it with a lot of power from a mature build. Also a superstar in the classroom. * Chase Johnson- 2007 RHP Deer Valley. The 'Hawks will be tough on the bump in 2006 with Chase, Calvin Lewis, and Nick Salahub. Throwing for ASBA this fall, Johnson is 87-89 and features a decent breaking ball. Definitely one to watch. * Danne Quiroz- Catcher Hamilton. An absolute wall behind the plate. He's throwing the ball much better and is showing sub 2.0 pop times. More to come. The 2006 class is deep in solid catchers, but there isn't a catch and throw guy the likes of Louis Marson or Ryan Cisterna that we've seen in the past. Speaking of catchers, join me in congratulating Drew Beurlein of Desert Mountain (my#1 ranked 2006 backstop) for his verbal commitment to UNLV. Drew will don the Rebel gear with 2005 Notre Dame grad Mike Brenly and becomes the second AZ player (Sam Pavlisick-Central) this year to commit to the Rebs.
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October 17, 2005
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The Arizona Senior Fall Classic was held this weekend. Here's some random thoughts: * There are way too many teams in this event. Last year there were 34..this year 40. The talent level is being diluted badly. I think most of the Arizona squads fared very well. However, several 4A and 5A programs in this area would be more competitive than some of these other groups. * During the time I was there I felt the attendance (college coaches) was down from the past couple of years. This is strictly an observation and not based on hard numbers. * This is still arguably the top showcase tournament of it's kind west of the Mississippi. Nevertheless, the fact remains that with this many players, only the truly elite stand out and the vast majority get lost in the masses. Coaches arrive with a list of names to scout and for the most part have no time for discovering talent. * I felt that a much larger crowd of JUCO coaches were in attendance this year.
Nogales' Rafael Valenzuela hackin' against the Pilots * Some out of state companies who had teams in the event were absolutely stealing money from players and their families to play in this tournament. I know of one local family that spent almost $1500 to play in this weekend tournament. There are many slimy jackals out there....caveat emptor. |
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Connor Whalen delivers as Arcadia teammate Chris Murphy creeps in the background |
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* Many of the D1 schools have committed virtually all of their money and are really focusing on 2007 kids now. This will change by the spring signing period for many. The Junior and Sophomore divisions are being played this next weekend at the Peoria Complex and at Glendale Community College. |
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October 12, 2005 Former Horizon High star Brandon Wood had a career day, cranking 4 homers on Monday in an Arizona Fall league game. This weekend brings the return of the Arizona Senior Fall Classic to the Peoria Sports Complex. The showcase tournament, founded and still run by Ted Heid, will normally draw 75 to 100 colleges and scouting representatives from every major league team. This year there will be six Arizona teams represented in the field of 40 squads. The format is designed to showcase as many kids as possible, with a maximum of 6 hitters or 3 outs (whatever comes first) per inning). The schedule can be found at www.azfallclassic.com If this is your first experience with this event here's what to expect: Do some simple math before you go. The 40 teams will probably have an average of at least 25 players per roster. That's 1000 players trying to draw the spotlight just like you are. Standing out in this crowd can be extremely difficult if not impossible. These events are definitely more suited to pitchers than position players. As I've said before, this process is markedly easier for the left handed pitcher than for the corner outfielder. I also think that these type of events set up better for certain types of players. For example, you may be a wonderfully talented outfielder who is a highly successful high school player. Unfortunately, if you don't have textbook speed (i.e. sub 6.9 60 yard, sub 4.4 home to first) you probably won't separate yourself from the pack. Hitting wise, your opportunities are limited and mechanics and bat speed are big issues. Success at the plate is largely dependent on the pitches you see and that's not something you can control. For right handed pitchers, velocity is a big key. You may see D1 college guys succeeding at 84-85 MPH, but its hard to get recruited and given scholarship money at a D1 if you don't sit 87 MPH and above as a righty. Hustle, Hustle Hustle. It may not make a difference, but a lack of hustle can sink your chances every time. Run out everything like your hair is on fire.... Show your tools: If you can run, then sprint everywhere. If you have an arm lets see it between innings. One of my biggest pet peaves are catchers who don't show me their pop time between innings. You may not get a chance to show your arm in a game setting all weekend, do it when you have a chance between innings. By the same token, block everything like the winning run is on third in the 7th game of the world series. Some of the most successful players in the history of baseball are guys that would not have stood out in these showcase events because their measurable tools (speed, arm strength) weren't there. Finally, don't get overwhelmed by the event. Control what you can, relax, and do your best.
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October 6, 2005 In addition to the markedly improved weather, one of the added bonuses of autumn in Arizona is the appearance of the Arizona Fall League. If you are a fan of baseball and haven't checked out the AFL, you're missing the best bargain in town. The league was formed to provide an easily accessible off season venue for the top prospects in professional baseball. The alumni list reads like a who's who of current MLB stars. In addition, the crowds are super small and front row seating is always available. In the fall of 2000 my son Jake and I attended a game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. As we sat down in the first inning, a strapping kid cranked a laser beam, line drive homer to left field. The hitter was none other than Albert Pujols. Here's a list of the Arizona High School alumni who will be playing in the AFL this fall. Grand Canyon Rafters T.J. Beam: Saguaro High and Scottsdale Community College Mesa Solar Sox Jeremy Accardo- Mesa High Peoria Javelinas Chris Saenz- Tucson High, Pima CC Phoenix Desert Dogs Jason Pridie- Prescott High Elliott Johnson- Safford High Andre Ethier- St. Mary’s High, ASU Surprise Scorpions Brandon Wood- Horizon High Diamondbacks fans will also have an opportunity to see top prospect Stephen Drew
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October 5, 2005 Here's a link to a great article in the San Diego Union-Tribune that tells the tale of 2005 St. Mary's grad Brian Matusz and his path to USD. LINK |
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October 4, 2005 Tucson Catalina Foothills outfielder Brayden Ashdown (2006) has given a verbal commitment to Notre Dame University to play for the Fighting Irish. Brayden patrols center field for the 4A state runners up and he is an outstnding student in the classroom. |
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October 3, 2005 Ronnie Welty becomes the second Mesquite player to commit to a D1 program after giving his verbal to Kansas State University. Ronnie will join 2005 Sunnyslope grad Ben Hornbeck with the Big 12 Wildcats. Please join me in extending congratulations to Ronnie and his family.
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October 1, 2005 Mesquite OF/RHP Seth Furmanek has given a verbal commitment to the University of Portland to play for the Pilots in the 2007 season. Seth was recruited as a 2 way player and will join Brophy 2005 graduates Sean Nicol and Paul Crowder at Portland. Congratulations to Seth and his family from the AZDR. Mesquite's Seth Furmanek will be a Pilot |
