Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ Brock Bond (06-07) the second-coming of Wade Boggs? Check out this MLB.com message board discussion of Brock Bond, where he is compared to not only Boggs, but also to David Eckstein, Crash Davis and Brian Horwitz (?):

• I can't see Bond being much at the MLB level. He smells like a career minor-league guy....a slap hitting Crash Davis.

• Look at the numbers Boggs produced...and at what age...in the minors. Boggs was an eagle eyed "slap-hitter", too...and eventually developed a decent power stroke. I'm NOT saying Bond is the next Wade Boggs, but their minor league profiles certainly are similar. If Bond goes to Fresno and lights it up there...why not?

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Recruit: Rob Zastryzny, LHP/OF/DH

Rob Zastryzny, LHP/OF/DH
6'2", R/L
Calallen HS (Corpus Christi, TX)

■ 2009 Pitching stats: 9-4, 2.25 ERA, .194 BA, .290 OBP, 71.2 IP, 269 BF, 237 AB, 32 R, 23 ER, 46 H, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 SF, 0 SH/B, 30 BB, 98 K, 2 HBP, 2 WP, 1088 #P, 0 SV, 14 APP, 7 CG, 4 SO

■ 2009 Offensive Stats: .325 AVG, 40 G, 134 PA, 114 AB, 39 R, 37 H, 40 RBI, 13 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 1 SF, 16 BB, 16 K, 3 HBP, .418 OBP, .605 SLG, 13/14 SB

■ 2009 All South Texas Team (2nd team)

■ 2009 All District Pitcher and Designated Hitter

■ Callallen's Zastryzny pitches perfect game in playoff win (caller.com, 5/17/2009)

Zastryzny (8-2) turned in an efficient performance for his first career perfect game. He struck out nine of the 15 batters he faced, throwing 68 pitches, 46 of which were strikes. Zastryzny ran the count full on only two batters.

“My fastball was spotting up on the outside and, with my slider, I was getting them to chase it,” Zastryzny said.

■ Callalen HS was ranked #17 in the 2009 ESPN Fab 50

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ Both Aaron Crow (05-07) and Andrew Johnston (05) are included in Baseball America's list of How fast do they throw? Max and average velocities for everyone in the AFL

Thanks to the Pitch F/X data that is being gathered at several Arizona Fall League sites, we have consistent pitch data that has never been available for prospects before. So if you want to know who’s the hardest and softest tossers in the AFL, now we know.

• Aaron Crow: 95.5 Max / 92.72 Avg

• Andrew Johnston: 93.4 Max / 91.42 Avg

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors

■ MU alum Ian Kinsler (03) showed up on the American League MVP ballot. As told by Baseball Time in Arlington:

Ian Kinsler received a single 10th-place vote and rolled to a 27th-place finish, despite pulling off that oh-so-coveted 30-30 season and posting an overall 4.6-win campaign.

Mizzou Baseball: Summer Ball

■ The San Luis Obispo Blues have received commitments from three current Tigers for the summer of 2010:

• Brannon Champagne

• Dane Opel

• Kale Gaden

"In restrospect, maybe that was a bad idea"

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Recruits

■ The Detroit News chimes in with Divine Child baseball player earns scholarship to Missouri

Pitcher/shortstop Myles Smith of Dearborn Divine Child has earned a scholarship to play baseball at Missouri. Smith hit .390 with six homers, 13 doubles and 27 RBI for Divine Child last season. He also had a 7-2 record as a pitcher, with 47 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Smith chose Missouri over Michigan State, Central Michigan, Arkansas and Georgia Southern

■ San Diego State's Stephen Strasburg (#1 overall draft pick in June 2009) surrendered only 5 home runs in his collegiate career. The second of those was given up to San Diego's Nick McCoy, brother to 2010 Mizzou recruit Zack McCoy. Video of the dinger on YouTube.

Mizzou Baseball: Summer Ball

■ I'm told that three current Tigers have committed to play their 2010 summer ball with the Cowlitz Black Bears of the West Coast League, coached by former Tiger Bryson LeBlanc:

• Garrison McGlagan
• Andreas Plackis
• Andy Heifner

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

■ Bryson Leblanc (05-06) is the head coach of the Cowlitz Black Bears of the West Coast League (a summer wood bat league). TDN.com has article about his first signee, with quotes from the former Tiger.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ ESPN's Jason Gray has scouting reports on a select group of pitchers he saw in the Arizona Fall League, including former Tiger Aaron Crow:

Aaron Crow: Crow hit 94 mph for me with a solid mid-80s slider, and also showed a better change than I expected, with sink and fade. That will be a key pitch for him against left-handed batters. Considering how much he's pitched in the past two years after being a very high pick in the draft two years in a row, he looked fine and should move quickly. His wrist wrap/curl in the back during his delivery is bothersome, though.

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Recruit: Michael Franco, 3B/RHP

Michael Franco, 3B/RHP

5'9", 170 lb, R/R
Moody HS (Corpus Christi, TX)

2009 Offensive Stats: .395 avg, 6 hr, 47 rbi, 42 r

2009 TXSWA All-State Class 4A 3rd Team

2009 All South-Texas Baseball Team

■ Photos of Matt Franco signing his National Letter of Intent

■ Franco's team, Moody HS, was ranked 14th in ESPN's final 2009 Fab 50 High School teams

■ Moody wins battle of nation's top two baseball teams (maxpreps.com)

Meza kept the attack going with a basehit and Matt Franco singled to left, chasing Hoelscher from the mound with five straight hits allowed and no outs. After Travis Neslony replaced Hoelscher, Moody worked a sacrifice and a sacrifice fly to move ahead 4-0.

Although Calallen closed the gap in the top of the third on a two-run homer by Matt Garza, Moody lengthened its lead with six runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Franco hit a solo shot to left field with one out and Randy Rodriguez followed with a basehit. After a walk to Geraldo Gutierrez, A.J. Longoria singled to plate Franco

.
■ Moody's Franco signs with Missouri (caller.com)

The District 30-4A first-team pick hit .418 with 42 RBI, 12 doubles and six home runs a year ago. He also provided a solid defensive presence at the hot corner and played a key part in Moody’s run to the state tournament.

Franco is expected to lead the way back this season.

“I told him we’re going to jump on his back and go for a ride,” coach Corky Gallegos said. “He’s our leader and we look for him to lead by example. He certainly does that. He’s out there getting dirty and showing younger players how to do things.”

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Recruits

■ DC Trio signs to play college ball (pressandguide.com)

Some valuable autographs were signed last Wednesday at Divine Child.

Seniors Myles Smith, Jeremy Shay and Anthony DiPaolo all inked National Letters of Intent to play college baseball in a ceremony held in the school lobby and attended by a number of classmates, teachers, coaches, friends and family members.
. . .

Smith became the first DC athlete to sign with a Big 12 school when he opted to head to Missouri.

He has been a major contributor for the past two years as a pitcher and shortstop for the Falcons and said he will continue to play both positions at the next level.

“They told me I’d be doing both,” he said. “They’re a young, up-and-coming team right now and I really liked the atmosphere down there when I visited the campus.

“It seems like a great place to be.”

Smith said he plans to major in business with a minor in psychology.

In the meantime, he still has some work to do before leaving DC.

“As Jeremy can attest, I still need to improve my control a little,” Smith said with a nod to Shay, who sometimes has to put his catcher’s equipment to the test chasing fastballs in the dirt. “There are always some things you can work on.”

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Recruits

■ Franklin senior Ian Ekery signs with Missouri (El Paso Times)

Wearing the black and gold of the University of Missouri, Ekery signed with the Tigers on Monday as he sat between his parents, Alan and Adj, in the Franklin library.

"It's amazing; it's almost surreal," Ian Ekery said. "You almost can't put this into words. I've dreamed of playing college baseball all my life, since I was a kid, and getting to go to the Big 12 and have an opportunity like this, it's amazing."

. . .

Success helped garner interest from several colleges -- such as Texas A&M and UCLA -- but Mizzou captured the youth's heart.

"Basically, a lot of schools in big cities tend to get lost in the town, as another part of what there is to do in the town, whereas at Mizzou, you got a little over a third of the town's population going to the school," Ian Ekery said. "Everyone's at the football game. The city life revolves around the college and college athletics."

SimmonsField.com profile of Ekery

You Make the Call: Which Tiger newcomers will have the greatest impact?

Our previous poll finished this weekend, with Aaron Crow winning decisively over his competition for the MU alum most likely to make the Show. It's time to move on.

Our new pair of polls asks which Tiger newcomers will have the greatest impact on the team. One poll asks about this year's talented freshman class; the other poll asks about an impressive collection of JuCo transfers.

Many fans have read a lot about these players; many have seen them play in practice or during the Fall World Series. Others may be familiar with these newcomers from following them before their Tiger careers began. Others will make up their mind on this poll based on sharing a last name with their favorite new Tiger.

Whatever drives your voting, it's all up to you. Cast your vote in the left-hand column now through the end of 2009. Supposedly you can only vote once, but history has shown it's not that hard to get around the restrictions. So vote early, vote often.

You may vote for more than one player.

Last year's winner of this poll (we tossed the freshmen and transfers in together last year) was Ryan Gebhardt.

2010 Recruit: Dillon Everett, SS

Dillon Everett, SS
5'11", 185 LB; S/R
Horizon, AZ


2009: .333 Avg, 27 GP, 90 AB, 23 R, 30 H, 19 RBI, 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 16 BB, 14 K, .434 OBP, .544 SLG%, 4 SB

• USA Baseball 2009 Mountain West National Team

• 1st team All-5A II Pima Region

• Arizona ‘92’s National Team Identification Series in Salt Lake City

■ Perfect Game Scouting Report:

Dillon Everett is a 2010 MIF with a 5'11'', 180 lb. frame from Scottsdale, AZ who attends Horizon. Strong athletic build, well-developed, switch-hitter, RH-strength in swing, balanced, quiet hitting approach, bat has some juice, LH-smooth swing, barrels the ball up well, ball jumps off the bat, stays inside the ball, good raw power, hammered ball to the fence during a game, runs well, 7.02 sixty, short clean arm action in the field, good range, solid actions, strong student, good all-around player.

■ From AZTeenMagazine (September 2007):

Although the youngest of this group, Dillon Everett hasn't let his age stop him. In fact, Everett left our overnight photo shoot to go tend to his baseball duties, catching absolutely zero sleep the night before. As shortstop on his Horizon High’s varsity squad as well as the Angel Scout Team, which is basically a stepping stone to playing in the major leagues, Dillon doesn’t see baseball as simply a pastime.

“I love everything about the game. Not only is it exciting, but it is a game that forces me to stay focused and pay attention," he says.

Dillon’s secret for baseball success and carrying a 4.25 GPA is not as obvious as one might think: “Stay close with your family.” Dillon plans to attend college to earn a degree in business and pursuit of a career as a professional baseball player.

Along his path, Dillon is always strengthened and inspired by his love for God. He is an active member at Living Stream Church and is in regular attendance with his family. What separates him from the masses is that he doesn’t care what others think and can make his decisions on his own. Some lasting advice this All-American poster child has for azTeen readers: “Make good choices, be patient, and do the right thing because it always pays off in the end, no matter how long it takes.”

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

MU in the Minors

■ Crow closes AFL stint with a gem (mlb.com)

Despite a shaky start to his pro career, when Royals prospect Aaron Crow walked off the mound at Surprise Stadium on Saturday, he left the crowd with little doubt as to why he was the 12th overall pick in this year's Draft.

After allowing a one-out double in the opening frame, Crow retired the final 11 batters he faced in a four-inning outing that best illustrated what all the hype has been about concerning the highly touted right-hander. In his final Arizona Fall League start, Crow struck out four and didn't issue a walk, falling short of a win as the Rafters fell to the Scottsdale Scorpions, 4-2.

"I think just the last couple times out [I was] just missing up a lot," Crow said of the 0-2 record and 7.92 ERA he had in his previous three AFL starts.

"Being out there and being on a scheduled routine and facing hitters every [start] and every week and focusing on keeping the ball down, it's been a lot easier to do
when you're in a routine."

Crow's rhythmic approach worked wonders on the Scorpions, as he consistently worked off of his cutting fastball to set up his off-speed stuff. He exited after throwing 39 of 54 pitches for strikes.

■ Project Prospect has video of Aaron Crow on the mound on November 9th

Mizzou Baseball alums nominated for MU Athletics Hall of Fame

■ Six new inductees chosen for 2009 class of MU Athletics Hall of Fame (ColumbiaMissourian.com)

• Ryan Fry, a Missouri baseball player from 1995-1998 who was a 2nd-Team All-American in 1998, and was a two-time Academic All-American.
  
  
• 1964 Baseball Team, which finished the season as the national runner-up and posted a 27-5-1 record

The group will be inducted January 22 in Columbia.

100 Days Until the 2010 Season Begins

Yes, folks, it's only 100 days until Mizzou Baseball !!!

Tentative and Unofficial 2010 Schedule

"The good time is approaching.
The season is at hand
When the merry click of the two-base lick
Will be heard throughout the land.
The frost still lingers on the earth, and
Budless are the trees,
But the merry ring of the voice of spring
Is borne on every breeze."
The Sporting News, 1886

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Mizzou Alumni

■ Former Tiger catcher J.C. Field (05-06) gets a mention in Bison-Sioux set to play in baseball (GrandForksHerald.com)

MU in the Majors

■ Rangers bring sunshine to ballpark (Dallas News.com) highlights some of Ian Kinsler's (03) fine charity work

"I definitely enjoiy having these kids around," Kinsler said. "They really are a great group of people. It the next step is to be more involved on a bigger level, it's something that there is no way I could say 'no'."

2010 Recruit: Zack McCoy, SS

Zack McCoy, SS

Zach McCoy has changed his mind and will not be playing for Mizzou (2/3/10)

6'0", 165 lb, R/R
Westview HS (San Diego, CA) -- 2009 Valley League champions

■ 2009 Stats: .333 Avg, 28 GP, 87 AB, 17 R, 16 RBI, 10 2B, 0 HR, 8 BB, 19 K, .385 OBP, .448 SLG%; 5/6 SB

■ California Baseball Coaches' Association 2009 North-South Series

■ YouTube video of McCoy taking fielding and batting practice

■ 2009 All Valley League 2nd Team SS

■ Older brother Nick plays baseball at the University of San Diego

We are currently compiling a list of 2010 recruits that have made a verbal commitment to Mizzou. If you have more information about these players, or if you hear of a player who has made a commitment to MU, please let us know at simmonsfield@hotmail.com

2010 Recruit: Ian Ekery, LHP/1B

Ian Ekery, LHP/1B
R/L, 5'11", 185 lb
El Paso Franklin HS (TX)

■ 2009 Stats

• Pitching: 6-3, 2.85 ERA, 10 GP, 9 GS, 59.0 IP, 31 R, 24 ER, 53 H, 22 BB, 6 HB, 2 IBB, 75 K, 6 CG, 0 SV, 1.27 WHIP, 5 WP

• Offense: .419 BA, 31 GP, 29 GS, 93 AB, 13 R, 39 H, 7 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 25 RBI, 8 BB, 10 K, 2 HBP, 3/5 SB, .552 OBP, .495 SLG%

■ 2009 All-District 1st Team Pitcher

■ Scouting videos of Ekery:

• Ian Ekery at Packard Stadium

• Ian Ekery 17U AABC Don Mattingly

• Ian Ekery vs. Waxahachie HS

■ Bio at LeagueLineup.com

■ 2009 Summer ball and Fall showcases with Albuquerque Baseball Academy and the Metro Scout League

■ Ekery is also a budding sportswriter, posting articles for the Franklin High School Chronicle

We are currently compiling a list of 2010 recruits that have made a verbal commitment to Mizzou. If you have more information about these players, or if you hear of a player who has made a commitment to MU, please let us know at simmonsfield@hotmail.com

Early Signing Period Begins Wednesday

Recruiting

The early signing period for recruits to sign a National Letter of Intent is November 11-18.

Mizzou Baseball will no doubt be collecting signatures from another fine class of recruits, as usual. Also as usual, there will be no press release listing those recruits, as is the standard practice of Coach Jamieson and staff.

We've already collected a short list of verbal commitments, and continue to search for additional names to add to the list.

This is where you come into the picture. While we stumble on a number of MU Recruits through a ridiculously obsessive scouring of the internet, much of the information we receive and post comes from readers like you: former players, families of players and fans across the nation. If a player in your part of the country commits to the Tigers, you're likely to hear about it in your local media before the news trickles back to me.

So send us the names, links and any other info you hear about new recruits, and we'll do our part to dig up whatever additional details we can find.

It may be the off-season for baseball, but the hot stove never cools off here at SimmonsField.com.

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Taylor Stadium

■ MUTigers.com has a full update (with pictures) on Construction in Full Swing at Taylor Stadium. Photos show the new scoreboard, the framework of the new indoor practice facility, and the beginnings of the new brick wall that will will border the field around the foul lines.

MU in the Minors

■ MASNSports.com has a review of the Frederick Keys 2009 Pitchers, including Rick Zagone (05-07), with some frank comments from Keys manager Richie Hebner:

"A crafty lefty, not overpowering. He'll repeat in Frederick I would think. He's got to be just right. When we first got him, watching him pitch was like watching grass grow.

"I told him 'you got to pick it up.' He did and started to pitch better. One night I told him 'when you pitch we have to stop the game in the 5th and cut the grass, that's how slow you're pitching.'"

■ Andrew Johnston (05) is scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase this Saturday. Details at Colorado.Rockies.MLB.com

■ Garrett Broshuis (02-04) has a new entry in his Suitcase Chronicles: Answering the Mail (baseballamerica.com).

Why do baseball players spit? I found that the submandibular glands produce
over 70 percent of human saliva. Well, apparently throwing a baseball is
directly linked to overactive glands. The repeated internal rotation of the
shoulder stimulates these glands, resulting in increased growth and increased
saliva output. It's similar to an overactive bladder. We can't control it, and
it's actually embarrassing. The result: We spit more than camels.

2010 Recruit: Myles Smith, RHP/SS

Myles Smith,
6'2", 175 lb, R/R
Dearborn Divine Child HS (Dearborn, MI)

2009: 7-3 with a 2.15 ERA and 71 strikeouts. Batted .315 with 15 runs, three homeruns and 18 RBI.

■ From hognation.net:

Attended the Perfect Game Mi. Lakeshore State Showcase in 2006. {Rated a 7.5}

PG REPORT: Athletic actions in IF, good range, moves through the ball, hits from a narrow stance, good bat speed, line drive swing plane, pitches from a 3/4 arm slot, long and loose arm action, minimal effort, balanced and online delivery, keeps FB down, good presence for a young player, good student.

Attended the Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase in 2006. {Rated an 8.5}

PG REPORT: Named to Top Prospect Team. Lean athletic body, aggressive swing, short to ball, bat speed, centers ball well, loose arm, good angles to ball, good actions, arm strength, 80 IF, 3/4 arm slot, lively arm, drop and drive, high upside, solid run on FB, FB 78-81, CH 69, must follow, excellent student, 4.0 gpa.

Attended the Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase in 2008. {Rated a 9.5}

PG REPORT: Plus athletic build, loose with projectable strength. 2-way prospect. Middle infield actions, very good arm strength, quick hands, quick reactions, plays with balance and flair. 7.01 runner. Good load hitting, loose extended swing, good bat speed, tends to collapse back side/affects contact, tools to hit with adjustments. Also pitches, easy delivery, loose arm, FB steady at 86-88 mph, good spin on 11/5 curveball, more velo there with pitching repetitions.

#94 in the PGCrossChecker rankings of the Top 500 High School Prospects for 2010 on February 20, 2009.

Threw a complete game two-hitter (1 run) on 4/23/09. Had one single, one triple, two runs and four RBI on 4/25.

• Perfect Game USA 2nd Team All-American, 2009

• ESPN Rise All Area Greater Detroit, 2009

• Named ICE #1 Ranked Player

We are currently compiling a list of 2010 recruits that have made a verbal commitment to Mizzou. If you have more information about these players, or if you hear of a player who has made a commitment to MU, please let us know at simmonsfield@hotmail.com

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

MU in the Minors

■ Royals' Crow hit hard in second AFL start (mlb.com)

. . . But as the Kansas native is quickly finding out, it's a steep learning curve from college standout to professional pitcher. While Crow's command was better in his second start Tuesday afternoon, his location was actually too good. The No. 12 overall pick in this year's Draft was hit up for four runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings, taking a no-decision in his Surprise Rafters' 6-5 win over the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

Big 12 Opponents

■ Baseball America has a Fall Ball News Roundup, including some tidbits on MU opponents:

• Texas is moving hulking outfielder Kevin Keyes to first base, which could open up an outfield spot for freshman Cohl Walla.

• Junior college transfers could make a big difference on the mound for Texas Tech.

Mizzou Baseball History: Andrew Mueller's baseball legacy

■ Mueller family baseball: Like great-grandfather, like grandfather, like father, like son (Columbia Missourian)

Baseball has a romantic history of being handed down, generation to generation, father to son.

A Columbia family has been part of that. Eric and Andrew Mueller represent the fourth generation of baseball players. Their father, Mark Mueller, played in the minor leagues in the early 1970s. Their grandfather, Don Mueller, played in the major leagues in the 1940s and 50s. Their great-grandfather, Walter Mueller, played in the major leagues in the 1920s.

Eric Mueller played four years for St. Louis University. Andrew Mueller is in his last season as a pitcher at Missouri. He expects to return soon after undergoing knee surgery in May.

The Muellers’ story begins with a historic home run.
. . .

Andrew Mueller, who is three years younger than his older brother, switched to pitcher after his junior year of high school at Hickman. The Kewpies won the state championship his senior year, and Andrew Mueller closed out the championship game.

. . .

Andrew Mueller recorded a nine-pitch strikeout on a curveball to end the game. The rest of the Kewpies came onto the field for the celebratory dog pile. Andrew Mueller ranks that, as well as his start against Arizona State this season, as his favorite baseball moments.

Read the entire story HERE

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Compliance & Recruiting

■ Rick Allen, father of former Tiger Ryan Allen (07-09), has released his latest Informed Athlete newsletter. Some highlights:

• College Coaches Online (www.collegecoachesonline.com) is an affordable, searchable database that allows you to find coaches names, addresses, e-mails, and phone numbers quickly and easily. Passcode for a discount available on Rick's newsletter.

• While I believe that there are many athletes taking supplements, I don't believe that the number is 90 percent. I do believe, however, that athletes and parents need to be very careful about researching the supplements that they take.
With that in mind, high school athletes and parents may want to consult the NCAA list of banned substances as a resource. Keep in mind that in discussing such things as nutritional supplements, energy drinks, and the like, the NCAA uses the terms "banned substances" and "impermissible substances."

• We provide the NCAA recruiting calendars along with important dates related to ACT and SAT testing as a special benefit to our newsletter subscribers.
The link to access the calendars is: NCAA Recruiting Calendars. Both the November and the December calendars are now online and available to you.

• For more information: http://www.informedathlete.com

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors & Minors

■ What's next for Ian Kinsler (ESPN.com)

Kinsler did hit 31 home runs in 2009. Was this because he was hitting the ball harder, though? Or was it because he was hitting the ball differently? Yes, Kinsler's line-drive percentage was easily the lowest of his career. But his fly-ball percentage was easily the highest of his career. Isn't it possible that he was consciously going for more fly balls and home runs? And even if he wasn't, doesn't it seem likely that he can't have it both ways? That if his line-drive percentage comes back up -- and with it, his batting average -- his fly-ball percentage will come down? And with it, his home runs?