I was told that's why Tristan Gray will come to Rice. His dad has already experienced the minor league life. If you get an education first, then try it. If it doesn't work out who have something to fall back on.

(06-08-2014 04:36 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  I was told that's why Tristan Gray will come to Rice. His dad has already experienced the minor league life. If you get an education first, then try it. If it doesn't work out who have something to fall back on.

His dad also experienced Rice...and what makes Rice Rice.

(06-07-2014 12:06 AM)At Ease Wrote:  

(06-06-2014 06:29 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Rice has gone out of its way to protect its image and reputation (proactive responses to issues when a football player died during a practice under Todd Graham, and the response after the Greenspan/Kazemi fiasco). They should threaten Keith Law with legal action too IMO.

It's a no-win situation for Rice. Make this a bigger or legal issue, and 10x as many people hear about all the injuries, and Kenny Baugh, and the problems of the Big 3, and why people think Lemond was misused, etc.

Aye, that's the rub....

(06-08-2014 02:00 PM)Ranger Wrote:  I never have been able to understand, unless a kid hates it at Rice, why a kid who is drafted outside of the top ten rounds, leaves early. They are not getting much of a signing bonus, if any, and they are signing up for a pretty miserable life (or so I have been told by friends whose kids play minor league ball, at least at the lower levels) - not much pay and a pretty dismal existence. An exceedingly few number of kids make it to the majors, especially if they were drafted outside of the top ten. Hope springs eternal. But they could have another year at college working with WG. Just do not understand. I recall vividly reading an article in which Gritman basically said after Rice the minors were a disappointment. They all seem to go maybe two years and then quit the pros. If I recall right, Gritman finished college before going pro. Not sure how many of the underclassmen who go pro actually come back to Rice and finish up.

I think there is a difference between pitchers and position players. For pitchers if you have really good stuff coming out of HS there is a strong reason to sign as you take several seasons of college ball off your arm and MLB teams like their MiLB staffs to develop pitchers. In Smith's case he possesses a plus FB and a 12-6 CB but suffers from a lack of command and consistency. Realistically how much did he figure in our plans for next year and rather than pitch bullpen sessions most of next year he can leverage his plus FB, sign, and let the Brewers organization work with him the way they want.
Gritman, like Jimmy Baseball, knew that he didn't have the skills to make a run at the show but wanted to experience MiLB for a time so I don't think his and Stone's possible entry into Rice are quite the same. I think in most cases position ballplayers can benefit by playing college ball and working on their fielding, seeing better pitching, and getting stronger. There is less need to mold these players (outside of hitting) by MLB organizations than there is with pitchers.

(06-08-2014 02:00 PM)Ranger Wrote:  I never have been able to understand, unless a kid hates it at Rice, why a kid who is drafted outside of the top ten rounds, leaves early. They are not getting much of a signing bonus, if any, and they are signing up for a pretty miserable life (or so I have been told by friends whose kids play minor league ball, at least at the lower levels) - not much pay and a pretty dismal existence. An exceedingly few number of kids make it to the majors, especially if they were drafted outside of the top ten. Hope springs eternal. But they could have another year at college working with WG. Just do not understand. I recall vividly reading an article in which Gritman basically said after Rice the minors were a disappointment. They all seem to go maybe two years and then quit the pros. If I recall right, Gritman finished college before going pro. Not sure how many of the underclassmen who go pro actually come back to Rice and finish up.

I know that the Cruz brothers both came back and finished up and I'm pretty sure they walked together/the same year, i think May of 2013. I also know that Janish will be finishing his degree this fall...

Craig Stansberry graduated maybe 2 years ago and Joe savers graduated this year.

(06-08-2014 04:46 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-08-2014 04:36 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  I was told that's why Tristan Gray will come to Rice. His dad has already experienced the minor league life. If you get an education first, then try it. If it doesn't work out who have something to fall back on.

His dad also experienced Rice...and what makes Rice Rice.

Yes he did, although i think his experience at Rice was different than most. By the time he got to Rice--I'm almost positive he transferred in or went to JUCO first--he was already married and/or already had a kid, which is why a guy on that '99 CWS team already has a kid graduating from HS. I had at least one class with him and remember him being a pretty good student and that he usually went to class (at least more than me ), so I'm confident he's encouraging his son to pursue an education first...

"this could be one of our best and deepest pitching staffs ever"

The 2013 staff had Kubitza and Simms (both of whom were great college pitchers who are now doing very well in the minors); Stephens; Lemond and Fox. That is going to be awfully hard to beat, IMHO.

(06-09-2014 11:47 AM)owlsfan Wrote:  "this could be one of our best and deepest pitching staffs ever"

The 2013 staff had Kubitza and Simms (both of whom were great college pitchers who are now doing very well in the minors); Stephens; Lemond and Fox. That is going to be awfully hard to beat, IMHO.

Fox was solid, but far from great or consistent his Freshman season. Next year's staff, if it stays healthy, will be far deeper with quality and experienced talent than the 2013 staff.

Baseball America has the Cape rosters posted.

Included are:

Brewster Whitecaps: Blake Fox
Falmouth Commodores: Leon Byrd and Kevin McCanna
Hyannis Harbor Hawks: Skyler Ewing
Wareham Gateman: John Clay Reeves and Charlie Warren

(06-11-2014 08:54 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Baseball America has the Cape rosters posted.

Included are:

Brewster Whitecaps: Blake Fox
Falmouth Commodores: Leon Byrd and Kevin McCanna
Hyannis Harbor Hawks: Skyler Ewing
Wareham Gateman: John Clay Reeves and Charlie Warren

NOT Skyler-- he's flying to Arizona today to officially sign with the Giants.

Will Evan Rutter be back next year?

(06-11-2014 02:06 PM)West U Rice Fan Wrote:  Will Evan Rutter be back next year?

yup. He and Connor Teykl are in the midst of driving to California to play for the Santa Barbara Forresters this Summer.

I have high hopes for Rutter next season. When he throws strikes, he is very tough to hit.

(06-11-2014 03:49 PM)West U Rice Fan Wrote:  I have high hopes for Rutter next season. When he throws strikes, he is very tough to hit.

+1. No one on the staff has nastier stuff, but the game (especially for a pitcher) is 90% mental...and this is where maturity and experience kicks in.

In fact, here's his latest tweet (16 minutes ago) on his roadtrip...

Quote:Evan Rutter‏@jevanrutter·16 mins
ROAD TRIP GHETTO WORKOUT
GRINDIN ALL THE WAY TO CALI.
TRIS, ABS, FAST TWITCH REACTION VOLUME…

(06-11-2014 03:53 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  In fact, here's his latest tweet (16 minutes ago) on his roadtrip...

Quote:Evan Rutter‏@jevanrutter·16 mins
ROAD TRIP GHETTO WORKOUT
GRINDIN ALL THE WAY TO CALI.
TRIS, ABS, FAST TWITCH REACTION VOLUME…

Please interpret his tweet.

(06-11-2014 03:56 PM)MaronealOwl Wrote:  

(06-11-2014 03:53 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  In fact, here's his latest tweet (16 minutes ago) on his roadtrip...

Quote:Evan Rutter‏@jevanrutter·16 mins
ROAD TRIP GHETTO WORKOUT
GRINDIN ALL THE WAY TO CALI.
TRIS, ABS, FAST TWITCH REACTION VOLUME…

Please interpret his tweet.

two words: shake weight

(06-08-2014 02:00 PM)Ranger Wrote:  I never have been able to understand, unless a kid hates it at Rice, why a kid who is drafted outside of the top ten rounds, leaves early. They are not getting much of a signing bonus, if any, and they are signing up for a pretty miserable life (or so I have been told by friends whose kids play minor league ball, at least at the lower levels) - not much pay and a pretty dismal existence. An exceedingly few number of kids make it to the majors, especially if they were drafted outside of the top ten.

The statistics I've seen suggest that college players drafted after the 7th round have a very small chance of making it to the majors, regardless of position. Every college player I've ever talked to who was in the minors (particularly below AAA) described the experience as basically miserable.

(06-11-2014 06:42 PM)Hardball Owl Wrote:  

(06-08-2014 02:00 PM)Ranger Wrote:  I never have been able to understand, unless a kid hates it at Rice, why a kid who is drafted outside of the top ten rounds, leaves early. They are not getting much of a signing bonus, if any, and they are signing up for a pretty miserable life (or so I have been told by friends whose kids play minor league ball, at least at the lower levels) - not much pay and a pretty dismal existence. An exceedingly few number of kids make it to the majors, especially if they were drafted outside of the top ten.

The statistics I've seen suggest that college players drafted after the 7th round have a very small chance of making it to the majors, regardless of position. Every college player I've ever talked to who was in the minors (particularly below AAA) described the experience as basically miserable.

My feedback from minor league Owls is that the high draft picks/bonuses get the best training, medical care, etc. The sense is that the others are there to fill out rosters so the big guys can develop.