Byrd's HS coach is John Pope, who was one of Wayne's first players at Rice.

(04-18-2011 03:29 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Byrd's HS coach is John Pope, who was one of Wayne's first players at Rice.

It shows in their uniforms.

I'm looking forward to seeing Leon Byrd's teamate, Ashford Fulmer, playing for UH.

As MK hinted at earlier in the week, three new recruits for the incoming recruiting class (Freshmen for the 2012 season) officially announced late yesterday...

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/...11aaa.html

Awfully large number of recruits given we're sure to lose only four guys from this year's roster (Rendon, Gonzales, Cingrani, Simmons)...and recognizing that four pitchers on this year's roster were inactive due to injury or redshirt (Mason, Fazio, Mueller, Kotten); five if you include McDowell.

(04-27-2011 07:49 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  As MK hinted at earlier in the week, three new recruits for the incoming recruiting class (Freshmen for the 2012 season) officially announced late yesterday...

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/...11aaa.html

Awfully large number of recruits given we're sure to lose only four guys from this year's roster (Rendon, Gonzales, Cingrani, Simmons)...and recognizing that four pitchers on this year's roster were inactive due to injury or redshirt (Mason, Fazio, Mueller, Kotten); five if you include McDowell.

Evers and Boogie are seniors as well. There are 5 seniors, AR is gone obviously, so that's 6. I believe the other draft eligibles are Wall, Reckling, Rathjen, Manuel, Fuda, DGL, Fazio, Benak, Lewis. So, I mean, if everyone left (which is highly unlikely), that would be 15. Definitely could see some from the first few names of that list move on.

Of course, we also are assuming all our recruits matriculate, which isn't a given.

Maybe someone who isn't draft eligible is transferring or quitting? Just thinking out loud, I have no inside information.

(04-27-2011 08:02 AM)d1owls4life Wrote:  

(04-27-2011 07:49 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  As MK hinted at earlier in the week, three new recruits for the incoming recruiting class (Freshmen for the 2012 season) officially announced late yesterday...

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/...11aaa.html

Awfully large number of recruits given we're sure to lose only four guys from this year's roster (Rendon, Gonzales, Cingrani, Simmons)...and recognizing that four pitchers on this year's roster were inactive due to injury or redshirt (Mason, Fazio, Mueller, Kotten); five if you include McDowell.

Evers and Boogie are seniors as well. There are 5 seniors, AR is gone obviously, so that's 6. I believe the other draft eligibles are Wall, Reckling, Rathjen, Manuel, Fuda, DGL, Fazio, Benak, Lewis. So, I mean, if everyone left (which is highly unlikely), that would be 15. Definitely could see some from the first few names of that list move on.

Of course, we also are assuming all our recruits matriculate, which isn't a given.

Maybe someone who isn't draft eligible is transferring or quitting? Just thinking out loud, I have no inside information.

Forgot about Boogie, but Evers has been off the active roster for quite some time (though, I'm guessing here, he's still on scholarship). Yes, I know we have qite a few players who are draft eligible underclassmen, but unlike past seasons, Rendon is the only one with a high probabilty (sure thing in his case) of leaving. I'm not sure if I'd give any of the others greater than 50-50 odds of turning pro, and as I've said previously, I think those high odds are a stretch for the remaining group.

No question, Rathjen would have moved on had he not been injured, but given his tools and the fact that he will not be fully rehabbed from his knee surgery until early 2012 (and recognizing that if his redshirt application is accepted, as expected, he will not be losing his negotiating leverage in the draft), I'd be very surprised if he gets drafted high enough in June, or for enough money, to justify his turning pro. As for Fuda-- again, he has the tools, but his performance this season (whether injury related or not) has taken a significant step backwards, and I would imagine the scouting community is well aware of his strikeout, plate discipline and pitch recognition issues (which has shown no noticeable improvement this season). I agree he's a bigger risk since he's already a 4-year redshirt Junior, was draft-eligible last season, is already 22 years of age, and most be close to earning his degree. Wall, unless he's itching to leave, I don't see departing as he does not have the pure stuff to go very high in the draft, and he's had two relatively poor Summers in front of the scouts in The Cape Cod league. Reckling has the pure stuff to catch the scouts attention, and he will no doubt be drafted, but at a high enough round to influence him to turn pro? I'm not so sure. All the others are very likely to return, IMO.

(04-27-2011 08:18 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(04-27-2011 08:02 AM)d1owls4life Wrote:  

(04-27-2011 07:49 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  As MK hinted at earlier in the week, three new recruits for the incoming recruiting class (Freshmen for the 2012 season) officially announced late yesterday...

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/...11aaa.html

Awfully large number of recruits given we're sure to lose only four guys from this year's roster (Rendon, Gonzales, Cingrani, Simmons)...and recognizing that four pitchers on this year's roster were inactive due to injury or redshirt (Mason, Fazio, Mueller, Kotten); five if you include McDowell.

Evers and Boogie are seniors as well. There are 5 seniors, AR is gone obviously, so that's 6. I believe the other draft eligibles are Wall, Reckling, Rathjen, Manuel, Fuda, DGL, Fazio, Benak, Lewis. So, I mean, if everyone left (which is highly unlikely), that would be 15. Definitely could see some from the first few names of that list move on.

Of course, we also are assuming all our recruits matriculate, which isn't a given.

Maybe someone who isn't draft eligible is transferring or quitting? Just thinking out loud, I have no inside information.

Forgot about Boogie, but Evers has been off the active roster for quite some time (though, I'm guessing here, he's still on scholarship). Yes, I know we have qite a few players who are draft eligible underclassmen, but unlike past seasons, Rendon is the only one with a high probabilty (sure thing in his case) of leaving. I'm not sure if I'd give any of the others greater than 50-50 odds of turning pro, and as I've said previously, I think those high odds are a stretch for the remaining group.

No question, Rathjen would have moved on had he not been injured, but given his tools and the fact that he will not be fully rehabbed from his knee surgery until early 2012 (and recognizing that if his redshirt application is accepted, as expected, he will not be losing his negotiating leverage in the draft), I'd be very surprised if he gets drafted high enough in June, or for enough money, to justify his turning pro. As for Fuda-- again, he has the tools, but his performance this season (whether injury related or not) has taken a significant step backwards, and I would imagine the scouting community is well aware of his strikeout, plate discipline and pitch recognition issues (which has shown no noticeable improvement this season). I agree he's a bigger risk since he's already a 4-year redshirt Junior, was draft-eligible last season, is already 22 years of age, and most be close to earning his degree. Wall, unless he's itching to leave, I don't see departing as he does not have the pure stuff to go very high in the draft, and he's had two relatively poor Summers in front of the scouts in The Cape Cod league. Reckling has the pure stuff to catch the scouts attention, and he will no doubt be drafted, but at a high enough round to influence him to turn pro? I'm not so sure. All the others are very likely to return, IMO.

I agree with most of your assessment. But, you just never know. Players have their reasons.

And, as I said, the coaching staff probably knows something we don't about the roster next year.

I doubt that all of the 15 are actually receiving baseball scholarships. Perhaps some of them have qualified for other types of aid (remember, GDL was the Lamar HS valedictorian and, IIRC, Rathjen received the same honors at Memorial). Or perhaps they're just being announced now because they were admitted to Rice through the regular admissions process, not the athletic scholarship route, and also happen to have the talent to compete for a spot on the baseball roster.

(04-27-2011 02:15 PM)ColOwl Wrote:  I doubt that all of the 15 are actually receiving baseball scholarships. Perhaps some of them have qualified for other types of aid (remember, GDL was the Lamar HS valedictorian and, IIRC, Rathjen received the same honors at Memorial). Or perhaps they're just being announced now because they were admitted to Rice through the regular admissions process, not the athletic scholarship route, and also happen to have the talent to compete for a spot on the baseball roster.

My issue had nothing to do with scholarships or partial scholarships, which we know is absurdly restricted to jut 11.7 annually. Rather, it's a potential roster issue, unless a bunch of these guys elect/agree to be redshirted.

MK weighs in on the large incoming class:

http://www.foxsportshouston.com/04/27/11...eedID=7402

(04-27-2011 06:42 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  MK weighs in on the large incoming class:

http://www.foxsportshouston.com/04/27/11...eedID=7402

I'd heard that Stainback had signed recently but not Ditman or Pierce. With those 2, that makes 8 guys either on the roster or coming to campus whose primary position is catcher! The Owls are collecting catchers like the Texans collect tight ends.

What are the alternatives for those who don't the 35 man roster next year? In the past I believe the Owls have "placed" guys in JC for 2 years until a roster spot opened at Rice (Jared Gayhart is an example), is that a possibility still? Also, when will the "cuts" be made - over the summer, after Fall Ball?

I guess this kind of thing happens from time to time, but it seems a little "un-Rice like" to me.

(04-27-2011 09:14 PM)CoatzaOwl Wrote:  

(04-27-2011 06:42 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  MK weighs in on the large incoming class:

http://www.foxsportshouston.com/04/27/11...eedID=7402

I'd heard that Stainback had signed recently but not Ditman or Pierce. With those 2, that makes 8 guys either on the roster or coming to campus whose primary position is catcher! The Owls are collecting catchers like the Texans collect tight ends.

What are the alternatives for those who don't the 35 man roster next year? In the past I believe the Owls have "placed" guys in JC for 2 years until a roster spot opened at Rice (Jared Gayhart is an example), is that a possibility still? Also, when will the "cuts" be made - over the summer, after Fall Ball?

I guess this kind of thing happens from time to time, but it seems a little "un-Rice like" to me.

It's standard practice at some schools (e.g., ASU), but you're right in saying it is very unRice-like. I just think that for this one year the usually accurate calculation of number of departures got thrown out of wack by the injuries and off-seasons by some of the upperclassmen. I very much doubt the "cuts" will be until after Fall Ball and, perhaps not until after Spring intrasquads. Also, it could be that we were surprised at the number of recruits who chose to commit to Rice (vs. other schools under consideration). Finally, as a couple others have already mentioned, it's certainly possible that the coaching staff is aware of one or several current roster players who have already expressed an desire to transfer after this season. Who knows.

(04-14-2011 12:44 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I'm guessing that the change in bats really has a lot of hitters messed up. With different bats, they need a different approach.

That's an expectation. I haven't really looked to see how actual results nationwide would compare. I haven't looked at the data, but I'm sure one of you gurus has, and I'm just wondering what is happening nationwide. I'd guess maybe the guys who have tended to be extreme small ball players haven't seen as big a fall-off, but then again, they didn't have as far to fall in the first place.

National college batting stats are down due to the new bats (as detailed in other threads). Yet many teams hitting the ball without falloff. Have others found a way around the shortcomings (ala Fresno St et al several years ago) or are we missing something ?

(04-28-2011 06:21 AM)Da.Owl Wrote:  

(04-14-2011 12:44 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I'm guessing that the change in bats really has a lot of hitters messed up. With different bats, they need a different approach.

That's an expectation. I haven't really looked to see how actual results nationwide would compare. I haven't looked at the data, but I'm sure one of you gurus has, and I'm just wondering what is happening nationwide. I'd guess maybe the guys who have tended to be extreme small ball players haven't seen as big a fall-off, but then again, they didn't have as far to fall in the first place.

National college batting stats are down due to the new bats (as detailed in other threads). Yet many teams hitting the ball without falloff. Have others found a way around the shortcomings (ala Fresno St et al several years ago) or are we missing something ?

As I mentioned in the other thread, i wonder if the bat maufacturer is a factor. Some brands may be more "lively". just a thought

Perfect Game published their Texas prospects overview today. They rank the top prospects 1 - 58 and break the prospects into 2 groups: 1. Projected Elite; likely to be drafted in rounds 1-3, and 2. Projected High; likely to be drafted in rounds 4-10. Here are the Rice-related guys (current players and signees):

Group 1: Projected Elite; Rounds: 1-3
1. ANTHONY RENDON, 3b, Rice University (Jr.)
Dominant in 2009-10, sore shoulder hindering 2011 (.323-5-33), still inspires fear (76 BB/56 G), + defender.
14. ANTHONY CINGRANI, lhp, Rice University (Sr.)
Blossomed in bullpen as SR (3-2, 1.92, 10 SV), + velo jump to 95-96, improved CU, much better arm action.

Group 2: Project High; Rounds: 4 - 10
33. MATTHEW RECKLING, rhp, Rice University (Jr.)
Flashes + stuff (FB to 94, sharp SL), but delivery rough, inconsistent command; 4-1, 2.90, 68 IP/44 BB/84 K.
36. CHRIS McFARLAND, ss, Lufkin HS
+ 6-1/195 athlete; 6.6 runner, strong/+ bat speed, tough SR season, struggled on D, CF future, Rice recruit.
43. JEREMY RATHJEN, of, Rice University (Jr.)
Big 2010 (.317-13-69), tore ACL in March (.295-1-18), 6-5/190 build, + power, speed for CF, arm for RF.
50. SKYLER EWING, c, Arlington HS
Powerful build (6-1/215), but loose/quick for size, + RH power/lift in swing, solid defender, + strong arm.

If this is an accurate picture of how the scouts view these guys, all are at risk of going pro.

I'm very pleased for Tony Cingrani. He's really worked hard to improve. It looks like it's going to make him a ton of money.

It'll be interesting to see what other think of McFarland, Rathjen and Ewing. I hope at least 1 of them makes it to campus next fall. Ewing, in particular, intrigues me - he's Arlington's #1 pitcher, plays 1B and C, and hits with a ton of power. Perfect Game compares him to Micah Gibbs (former LSU catcher; 2010 Cubs 3rd rounder). I think he'd be a huge get for the Owls.

(05-24-2011 03:47 PM)CoatzaOwl Wrote:  Perfect Game published their Texas prospects overview today. They rank the top prospects 1 - 58 and break the prospects into 2 groups: 1. Projected Elite; likely to be drafted in rounds 1-3, and 2. Projected High; likely to be drafted in rounds 4-10. Here are the Rice-related guys (current players and signees):

Group 1: Projected Elite; Rounds: 1-3
1. ANTHONY RENDON, 3b, Rice University (Jr.)
Dominant in 2009-10, sore shoulder hindering 2011 (.323-5-33), still inspires fear (76 BB/56 G), + defender.
14. ANTHONY CINGRANI, lhp, Rice University (Sr.)
Blossomed in bullpen as SR (3-2, 1.92, 10 SV), + velo jump to 95-96, improved CU, much better arm action.

Group 2: Project High; Rounds: 4 - 10
33. MATTHEW RECKLING, rhp, Rice University (Jr.)
Flashes + stuff (FB to 94, sharp SL), but delivery rough, inconsistent command; 4-1, 2.90, 68 IP/44 BB/84 K.
36. CHRIS McFARLAND, ss, Lufkin HS
+ 6-1/195 athlete; 6.6 runner, strong/+ bat speed, tough SR season, struggled on D, CF future, Rice recruit.
43. JEREMY RATHJEN, of, Rice University (Jr.)
Big 2010 (.317-13-69), tore ACL in March (.295-1-18), 6-5/190 build, + power, speed for CF, arm for RF.
50. SKYLER EWING, c, Arlington HS
Powerful build (6-1/215), but loose/quick for size, + RH power/lift in swing, solid defender, + strong arm.

If this is an accurate picture of how the scouts view these guys, all are at risk of going pro.

I'm very pleased for Tony Cingrani. He's really worked hard to improve. It looks like it's going to make him a ton of money.

It'll be interesting to see what other think of McFarland, Rathjen and Ewing. I hope at least 1 of them makes it to campus next fall. Ewing, in particular, intrigues me - he's Arlington's #1 pitcher, plays 1B and C, and hits with a ton of power. Perfect Game compares him to Micah Gibbs (former LSU catcher; 2010 Cubs 3rd rounder). I think he'd be a huge get for the Owls.

A posting so nice
Ye posted it twice!

Speaking of Rice recruits, 4 of ours are still in the 5A high school baseball playoffs, which are now down to the Regional Semifinals (16 teams):

Ryan McCarthy, Plano HS
Evan Rutter, Klein HS
John Williamson, Houston Lamar HS
Carter Burgess, Houston Memorial HS

Noticed that Burgess homered in their last quarterfinals game against Seven Lakes, but there was also a HR by a teammate, Beau Rathjen, a junior. Is he Jeremy's brother, or it is just a coincidence?

It's his brother, and he looks just like Jeremy.

(05-24-2011 04:28 PM)ColOwl Wrote:  A posting so nice
Ye posted it twice!

Yea, I thought it was REALLY GOOD info!

Only Rendon in BA's final Top 200 prospects:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/dra...11794.html

BA issued their Texas prospects ranking/review today. I'll probably miss some, but here's my list of Rice related guys (current team and signees):

1 Rendon (national rank: 1)
23. Cingrani
29. Reckling
36. Rathjen
42. Stephens - rhp, Alvin HS
48. McFarland - 3B, Lufkin HS (I've also seen him listed as SS and CF)
93. Ewing - C, Arlington HS
106. Zechariah Lemond - rhp, Waltrip HS
122. Manuel

Leaving aside the comments about Rendon (who we all know is pretty good), here are the related comments:

Tony Cingrani broke former big leaguer Tim Byrdak's single-season and career strikeout records at South Suburban (Ill.) JC, then followed Byrdak's path and transferred to Rice. After he posted an 8.59 ERA in six starts as a junior, the Owls overhauled Cingrani's delivery and moved him to the bullpen, and his transformation has been dramatic. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound lefthander has quickened his arm action and is staying more compact and on top of his pitches, and he's working at 92-94 mph and touching 97 with his fastball. He finished the regular season with a 1.92 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 52 innings. He pitches mostly off his heater, though the hope is that his below-average slider will improve once he gets more consistent innings in pro ball. He's one of the more attractive senior signs in the draft.

Cingrani's teammate at Rice, righthander Matthew Reckling, has made a similar leap forward but won't be as easy to sign away from the Owls. He's a top student with one year of eligibility remaining, and the team's stadium is named after his grandparents, Tommy (a former Rice player) and Isla, the facility's lead donors. Reckling pitched just 16 innings in 2010, when he battled command issues and posted a 6.32 ERA, but emerged as the Owls' Saturday starter this spring. His stuff improved after Rice eliminated recoil in his delivery, and the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder now pitches with a low-90s fastball and a hard curveball. Reckling didn't begin pitching until his senior year of high school, and his command still needs work.

One of the reasons pitchers have refused to challenge Rice star Anthony Rendon this spring is that the Owls lost their cleanup hitter, Jeremy Rathjen, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in mid-March. He projected as a top-five-rounds pick before he got hurt, and the injury should make him all but unsignable. Rice was able to redshirt him, so he'll still have negotiating leverage as a fourth-year junior in 2012. An athletic 6-foot-6, 205-pounder, Rathjen had gotten stronger and was making more consistent contact before he went down. He still has room to fill out more and develop more power. A plus runner, he plays a fine center field and has a decent arm.

It's usually difficult to lure Rice recruits away from college, and it's unlikely a team will buy McFarland away from the Owls after a lackluster spring. He's a 6-foot-1, 195-pound righthanded hitter with solid tools across the board. He makes contact and projects to have gap power, and he's an average runner with a fringy arm who'll have to move from shortstop to second or third base.

Righthander Jordan Stephens saved the best outing of his senior season for his last, striking out 13 in a state 5-A bi-district playoff win over nationally ranked Clements HS (Fort Bend). He works from 88-94 mph with his fastball, though the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws with some effort and doesn't maintain his velocity deep into games. He also throws across his body, which puts more stress on his arm but adds life to his pitches. His hard breaking ball is an effective second pitch. Stephens is committed to Rice and unlikely to turn pro.