Cal Players Make A Splash at MLB Draft
Cal had 7 players drafted for Major League Baseball this year, with five players being picked in the first ten rounds. That is potentially a new school record.
Interestingly, Cal Baseball did not do particularly well this year, failing to make the NCAA Tournament despite high pre-season hopes. The amount of drafted players compared to team success suggests that Cal is due for a coaching change, a conclusion supported by the team’s performance in pre-season winter league games when led by a different organization.
After having talked to several of the draftees for a Daily Cal feature on them, I can honestly say that they’re all pretty discouraged and confused at how poorly they did. Even the juniors, like Garrett Bussiere, said that he was through with trying to get over the hump at Cal because so many good players are leaving. He was more excited, it seemed, about getting out of a bad situation than joining the pro ranks. Make no mistake, he was thrilled to get drafted, but the struggles of the program seemed to be a key motivator to leave.
Next season will be very interesting. There will have to be two new outfielders, a new shortstop, two new starting pitchers behind freshman phenom Tyson Ross, and a new starting catcher. It looks like it could be Alex Rollin and Chris Petrini on the mound, a platoon of Charlie Cutler and Travis Howell behind the plate, maybe Kyle Spraker at short, and most likely Ryan Hanlon and Jason Corder in the outfield (if Corder doesn’t go to the bullpen full time). they’re going to be young, but they have a big upside. The big difference will be coaching, as from a statistical analysis I was given anonymously, one can draw the conclusion that it has been the hitting coaching that has turned these guys from monsters with wood bats to flops during the spring season with the metal. I am by no means saying that is the reason, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Comment by Ryan Gorcey — June 17, 2006 @ 4:48 pm
Just talked to Esquer - Michael Cooper may have some medical issues that he needs to “clear up before signing” with the Cubs. So we might not lose all seven guys, but we’ll lose the ones that really count - Boesch, Burchett, Bussiere, Craig, Errecart, and Morrow.
Also, it looks like Ross is solidly the ace for next season, Gorgen looks to be the closer, Cutler is the man behind the dish, and Spraker is most likely the shortstop.
Comment by Ryan Gorcey — June 20, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
Just talked to Esquer - Michael Cooper may have some medical issues that he needs to “clear up before signing” with the Cubs. So we might not lose all seven guys, but we’ll lose the ones that really count - Boesch, Burchett, Bussiere, Craig, Errecart, and Morrow.
Also, it looks like Ross is solidly the ace for next season, Gorgen looks to be the closer, Cutler is the man behind the dish, and Spraker is most likely the shortstop.
Comment by Ryan Gorcey — June 20, 2006 @ 4:18 pm