Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

Linderer helps Cavaliers shoulder high expectations (StLouisHighSchoolSports.com)
Matt Linderer, a fireball hurling righty, signed with Mizzou and had Major League scouts circling. They watched his starts, they texted him regularly.
. . .
The 6-foot-2, 178-pound Linderer was outstanding as he went 8-1 with an earned run average of 1.83. He struck out 85 batters in 69 innings.

Draft Update

Stites: It's a no-lose situation (Suburban Journal)
"I grew up as a Cardinal fan and never liked the Cubs," Stites said. "They were the main rival. But if they give me the money, I will become a big Cub fan."

Some experts had Stites slotted a lot higher in the draft, some on the first day. But he was happy to get the phone call on the third day of the draft.
. . .
"I am in a great spot right now," he said. "I want to pitch professionally, and I know what my dollar number is now and so do they," he said. "If they offer that number I will most likely sign. If not, I head to Mizzou and will look forward to pitching for the Tigers."

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

■ MU Recruit makes MaxPreps All-America Baseball Team (maxpreps.com)
2nd Team: Rob Zastryzny, Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas), Pitcher, 6-3, 180, Sr. - In leading Calallen to the Texas 4A championship game, Zastryzny was one of the top strikeout pitchers in the nation with 190 K's in 104 innings pitched. He also posted 11 shutouts and had 15 complete games in going 16-1 with a 0.40 ERA. He was named the All-South Texas Pitcher of the Year by the Caller Times and also had a solid year at the plate with a .405 average, 9 home runs, 46 runs and 47 RBI. The 4A all-state pick will pitch at Missouri next year.

Rob Zastryzny and Michael Franco were both named to the All South Texas baseball team (Caller.com)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Rob Zastryzny, Calallen, Sr.

The District 31-4A Most Valuable Player, Zastryzny, was nearly untouchable on the mound in leading the Wildcats to the 4A state final, as he won 16 of 17 decisions, sported a microscopic 0.40 ERA and struck out 190 in 104 innings. He threw 11 shutouts, 15 complete games and had one save. He also batted .405 with nine home runs, 46 runs, 47 RBI, 10 stolen bases and had a .540 on-base percentage. He was first-team all state and selected to the Class 4A all tournament team.

FIRST TEAM PITCHERS:

Michael Franco, Moody, Sr.

The second-team all state pitcher, Franco, went a perfect 15-0 this season in leading to Trojans to within one victory of the Region IV-4A final. Among his undefeated season, Franco allowed just one hit and struck out 13 in a 2-0 win over Jameson Taillon, who was the second overall pick in the MLB Draft, and 5A The Woodlands.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Zagone is headed for Double-A (MASNsports.com)
With Zach Britton moving up to Triple-A Norfolk, lefty Rick Zagone will move up and join the Baysox from Frederick to make Wednesday night's start for Bowie.

Zagone is 5-6, 3.20 on the year with Frederick in 15 starts. He has pitched 78 2/3 innings, allowing 79 hits, including seven homers. He has walked 22 with 54 strikeouts and Carolina League hitters were batting .261 vs. him.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Show Low knows Mathis as an ace (Oklahoma City Redhawks News)
Doug Mathis' hometown drew its name from a card game.
The RedHawks pitcher is from Show Low, Arizona, a picturesque small town that sits in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine in the United States.

"I get asked about it all the time," Mathis said. "No one's ever heard of the name. Even people from back home in Arizona ask me, because I'm living in Phoenix now. They'll ask me where Show Low's at, because it's a funny story. But it's a good little town, though."

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Photos of Aaron Senne, now playing for the Jamestown Jammers.

Senne is hitting .267 after 30 at-bats, with 4 RBI and 9 runs scored. And he already has 1 HBP, like a good Mizzou Tiger should.



(Photos by Steven Todd, passed along by Jim Senne)




Monday, June 28, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Brett Nicholas is now listed on the roster of the Spokane Indians and has appeared in a pair of games, going 2-for-8 and 2 RBI in his debut.
The Indians scored early with a two run double from new catcher Brett Nicholas, 6th round pick in 2010 MLB draft, in the first inning, but that is where the scoring ended.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ The Jamestown Jammers, led by Ryan Fisher and Aaron Senne, produced their highest hit and run total of the young New York-Penn League season 1,405 spectators at Diethrick Park on Saturday night. (Post-Journal.com)
Fisher cracked two home runs and Senne added four hits in the 15-hit attack as the Jammers went over the .500 mark (5-4) with an easy 11-1 rout of the Williamsport Crosscutters to move into a three-way tie with the Crosscutters and Auburn for first place in Pinckney Division.

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

■ A pair of MU Recruits are MVPs on the 2010 Texas All-District Baseball Teams (Corpus-Christi Caller)
  • DISTRICT 30-4A MVP: Michael Franco, Moody HS
  • DISTRICT 31-4A MVP: Rob Zastryzny, Calallen HS

2010 Recruit: Danny Murphy, 2B/SS

Update, 7/12/10: I have heard from a reliable source that 2B/SS Danny Murphy is NOT an officially signed scholarship recruit for Mizzou this Fall, but that he will be enrolling at Missouri for classes and intends to make a try at walking on to the baseball team.

Danny Murphy, 2B/SS
6'1", 175 lb, L/L
Mehlville HS, St. Louis, MO

2010 stats: .476 BA; .569 OB%, .869 SLG%; 102 PA, 84 AB, 31 R, 40 H, 9 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 73 TB, 0.049 K/PA, 10 BB, 5 K, 25/28 SB; 8 HBP

• 2010 All-Metro Team (1st team)

• Suburban West Player of the Year

2010 MSHSBCA All-State Honorable Mention

• Selected to play in the Rawlings 2010 St. Louis High School Baseball Showcase game at Busch Stadium on June 30th.

• Article: Now Playing: Danny Murphy (StudentPrints.com)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

All Tigers, All the Time?

MU ponders starting own TV network (Columbia Tribune)
Last week, after the Big 12 was saved, University of Missouri system President Gary Forsee publicly asked, “Why shouldn’t there be a Mizzou network?” Since then, MU officials have met to discuss new ways to deliver athletic programming to fans.

Their most ambitious idea is a 24-hour sports network filled with live games, archived footage and studio shows.
■ "I'm telling you: if this happens, do NOT forget the Rock M Power Hour on Sunday nights." (RockMNation)

[Trrip Note: And while we're dreaming, we can fill all those not-ready-for-prime-time schedule slots with archived video of Mizzou Baseball games past, sponsored by SimmonsField.com, with voice-over commentary from yours truly about uniform numbers, heckling tips and other exciting insider info.]

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Keys bats so hot, LHP Zagone has to stay warm (Frederick News Post)
Good pitching doesn't hurt, either, and Zagone did his part. Working 6 1-3 innings for the win, Zagone scattered seven hits, struck out four and walked none. The only runs he gave up came on Jon Gilmore's two-run homer in the third.

Zagone had a beneficial mixture of aggressiveness and control.

"He went after the hitters, it was nice to see," Gomez said.

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors

■ For Max Scherzer, Toledo seems far away (DetroitNews.com)

Whatever demons were afflicting Max Scherzer before his brief stint at Triple-A Toledo appear to have been exorcised.

He gave the Tigers a solid outing for the fourth straight time and dropped his ERA from 7.29 on May 14 to 5.26. He's allowed just four earned runs and 14 hits in his last three starts. He's also now struck out 49 batters in his last 36 2/3 innings.

Missou Baseball Draft Update

Tepesch not tipping hand about plans (Columbia Tribune)
Former Missouri pitcher Kyle Gibson, a first-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2009, said he believes Tepesch is a top-three-round talent and that if Texas gets him for 14th-round money, it would be a bargain.

But Tepesch’s decision has to come down to something more than money, Gibson said. It’s where he would place the value of college vs. pro ball.

“Make sure it’s what you want to do and not what someone else thinks you should do. You’re the one who’s going to have to live with it,” Gibson said. “I’m sure he’ll talk to Aaron Senne. He was in the same situation last year. That’s the decision I had to make when I was drafted out of high school.”

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

Matt Linderer will pitch at Busch Stadium, according to Bernie Bits stream of consciousness (StlToday.com)
Matheny, by the way, organized the Rawlings High School Baseball Showcase, an All-Star game that will be held Wednesday at Busch Stadium after the Cardinals' 1:15 p.m. game against Arizona. The game will match 25 seniors from Missouri against 25 seniors from Illinois. Players committed to play include Granite City catcher Jake DePew, a Louisville signee who was selected by Tampa Bay in the ninth round of the June draft, and Mizzou signees Matt Linderer (Bishop DuBourg) and Danny Murphy (Mehlville). For info and rosters visit: www.highschoolbaseballshowcase.com

Summer Ball

Hardoin, Bombers shut out Joplin (Sedalia Democrat)
Zach Hardoin threw seven strong innings Saturday night to lead the Sedalia Bombers past Joplin 5-0 in a M.I.N.K. League road game.

Hardoin gave up six hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and one walk.

Another victory (Hannibal.net)
The relief corps of Eric Wooten, Paul Sewald and James Hudelson made the runs hold up and helped Hannibal pick up the win. Hudelson recorded two strikeouts in the ninth en route to his third save.

“Our bullpen lined up well,” Hemond said. “Wooten came in and was able to get the lefties. We went to Sewald and he did his job. Then Hudelson was great.”

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors UPDATE

CLASS AAA

Brock Bond (06-07): Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast League) San Francisco Giants organization
joe t: Can we form a Brock Bond fan club? (McCoveyChronicles)
The guy gets on base a lot and works a ton of walks, and you would imagine that he has some speed. Granted, his power numbers are poor and he is more Duane Kiper than Dwight Evans (you see what I did there? Both names start with "D") but I have to believe there is some value in a guy that can get on base, work some walks, and in general be a pain for opposing teams to pitch to. As a leadoff hitter, you would imagine that he will be able to take enough pitches in the first ab so that the 2 and 3 hitters can see every pitch the opposing pitcher has. What sort of OBP does a guy like Bond have to post in MLB to be worth keeping in the lineup, given the lack of power? Will big league pitchers knock the bat out of his hands?

owlcroft: I doubt that his low PF is owing to an actual lack of muscularity. When a man has a PF that low, it is a virtually certain mark of a specific hitting style, what we might call the Duane Kuiper (or Joe Strain, or Billy North) style. The man doesn’t get XBH because he is not trying for them; he is slapping the ball after Wee Willie Keeler’s famous advice.

Two questions thus arise: one, how much would his hitting, or his walks, decline—if at all—did he try for more line drives? And two, if he simply stays with this style, how well can he bring it to the majors? I know what MLEs are, and in general I trust them, but I wonder sometimes if some approaches are less well translated than others, and this is one.

In any event, I’d say he deserves a real look of some sort, meaning a reasonable period of steady play. How he gets that, I am less sure.

Andrew Johnston (05): Colorado Springs SkySox (Pacific Coast League) Colorado Rockies organization

Doug Mathis (05): Oklahoma City RedHawks (Pacific Coast League) Texas Rangers organization.
Mathis was assigned down to Triple-A Oklahoma in mid-May after compiling a 7.36 ERA in 9 appearances with the Rangers

CLASS AA

Aaron Crow (06-08): Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Texas League) Kansas City Royals organization
Fast track to Majors hits bump (TigerExtra.com)

After pitching 52/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts against major league hitters for the Royals in spring training, Crow started the season with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the Texas League.

The Wakarusa, Kan., native was at his best April 29, when he allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in eight innings. But just more than a month later, the right-hander was tagged for five runs on five hits and two walks and didn’t get out of the first inning. Crow hasn’t pitched past the sixth inning in five starts since May 20. He gave up five earned runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in four innings in a loss Wednesday
Nathan Culp (04-06): San Antonio Missions (Texas League) San Diego Padres organization
Culp was promoted to Triple-A Portland on May 31st to pitch a single game for the pitching-starved Beavers, only to be sent back to Double-A San Antonio on June 4th.
Evan Frey (05-07): Mobile BayBears (Southern League) Arizona Diamondbacks organization
After slumping to a .218 BA in May, Frey has come back strong, hitting .333 in June, continuing to show he is still the bulldog, blue-collar type player he has always been.
Kyle Gibson (07-09): New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League) Minnesota Twins organization
Fast track to Majors hits bump (TigerExtra.com)
“It seemed like every time I threw a strike, they hit it,” said Gibson, whose ERA jumped from 0.84 after three Double-A games to 4.83 after seven. “Every time I threw a ball, they took it.”

CLASS A ADVANCED


Trevor Coleman (07-09): High Desert Mavericks (High-A California League) Seattle Mariners organization

Rick Zagone (06-08): Frederick Keys (High-A Carolina League) Baltimore Orioles organization
Zagone helped the Keys win a a first-half championship in their league
CLASS A

Tyler Clark (08-10): Connecticut Tigers (New York-Penn League) Detroit Tigers organization

Greg Folgia (07-09): Lake County Captains (Midwest League) Cleveland Indians organization
Folgia has hit two bases-loaded triples this season
Mike Liberto (09-10): AZL Royals (Arizona Rookie League) Kansas City Royals organization

Ryan Lollis (06-09): Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League) San Francisco Giants organization
Augusta is apparently not a great hitter's ballpark, but Lollis has managed a good on-base percentage of .350 (bleacherreport.com)
Kyle Mach (06-09): Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League) San Francisco Giants organization
Mach is getting a little more playing time than last year, but not much, which is reflected in his just-above-the-Mendoza-line batting average
Hunter Mense (04-06): Jupiter Hammerheads (Florida State League) Florida Marlins organization
Hunter is racking up the frequent flyer miles in 2010. Take a look at his record of games played - and teams played for - in 2010:

• April 8-21: Jupiter Hammerheads (Single-A)
• April 22-May 15: New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA)
• May 16-26: Jacksonville Suns (AA)
• May 27-31: New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA)
• June 1-4: Jacksonville Suns (AA)
• June 5-7: New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA)
• June 8: Jacksonville Suns (AA)
• June 9-24: Jupiter Hammerheads (A)

It looks, though, like he was the designated roster place-keeper during some of those stints, since he accumulated a total of 15 plate appearances with Jacksonville and 28 PA with New Orleans, over a combined total of 49 days on the rosters of those teams.

In his own words: I've been everywhere, man (The Life and Time of Aitch)

So that's what my first half has been filled with...traveling, late night phone calls, and packing and unpacking. I'm back in Jupiter now, and it looks as if I might be here for awhile, but when you are living the life of a non prospect in the minor leagues you learn to never assume anything!
Brett Nicholas (10): AZL Mariners (Arizona Rookie League); reportedly soon to be with the Spokane Indians (Northwest League) Seattle Mariners organization

Aaron Senne (07-10): Jamestown Jammers (New York-Penn League) Florida Marlins organization

INDEPENDENT LEAGUES

Andrew Shipman (03), Gary Southshore Railcats (Northern League)

Erik Dessau (04-05), Calgary Vipers (Golden League)


If you have further information about any of these players, or corrections to my info, please e-mail me at simmonsfield@hotmail.com

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors

Kinsler ejected (Star-Telegram.com)

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (03) was ejected by plate umpire Eric Cooper at the conclusion of the third inning against the Astros. It was the first ejection for Kinsler this season and the second in his major-league career (April 29, 2008, vs. Kansas City).

Kinsler was tossed after he threw his bat, helmet and shin guard in disgust over a couple of called strikes and was walking toward the field. Ron Washington came out in defense of Kinsler, but didn't appear too agitated about the call.

Mizzou Baseball in the Independent Leagues

Northern League

■ Andrew Shipman, Gary Southshore Railcats

Gary Shoutshore Railcats rally late to beat Goldeyes (examiner.com)
Andy Shipman then came in in the ninth and earned his 10th save of the season.
Golden League

■ Erik Dessau, Calgary Vipers

Vipers strike last in back-and-forth contest (OurSportsCentral.com)
After Vipers starter Erik Dessau retired the first seven batters he faced, striking out four in a row at one point, before OC catcher Jim Geothals knocked a solo homerun (3) for an early 1-0 lead in the third inning.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Brock Bond's fantasy teammate: Renteria helps Grizzlies during rehab stint (FresnoBee.com)
The last time Edgar Renteria played in a minor-league game, Brock Bond was 9 years old.

It was 1996. One year before Renteria became a household name with his winning hit for the Florida Marlins in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.

"I grew up in St. Louis watching him with the Cardinals," said Bond, naming another of Renteria's six stops in the major leagues. "Big fan."

Sitting nearby in the Fresno Grizzlies dugout, Renteria could only smile. Monday night at Chukchansi Park, where he and Bond were teammates in a 6-3 victory over the Portland Beavers.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Aaron Senne is still a clutch hitter: Jammers rally for victory (Jamestown Post-Journal)
Down 4-3 in the ninth inning, the Jammers rallied for a six-run inning that included three doubles, one costly error to start the frame and a freaky bunt single leading to five of the six runs being unearned. The end result was an emphatic, 9-4 win for Jamestown (3-3).
. . .
Noah Perio reached on a fielder's choice and drove in the tying run when the first baseman threw home on a groundball. A strikeout later, Aaron Senne doubled to plate the go-ahead run and suddenly the wheels fell off for relief pitcher Justin Beal.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Athletics sign T-Bones closer, former Missouri standout (OurSportsCentral.com)
The Kansas City T-Bones have announced that the contract of reliever Justin James has been purchased by the Oakland Athletics.

James, 29, joined the T-Bones on April 27, 2009, after spending six years in affiliated baseball. A product of the University of Missouri, James was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2003 amateur draft and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. Throughout the six seasons, he split time between several leagues, including a 36-game stint in the Triple-A International League in 2007.

The right-hander has earned six saves in six opportunities this season and holds a 1.69 ERA, surrendering just two runs. He has allowed six hits in 10 and two-thirds innings and has walked only one batter.

"James leaves as the premier closer in the league," manager Tim Doherty said. "He's going to the perfect organization and has a legitimate chance to reach Triple-A this season."

James will join Double-A Huntsville of the Southern League. He is the first T-Bones player to have his contract purchased this season and is the 19th overall since 2003.

More honors for Senne

Senne earns All Midwest Region honors (mutigers.com)
Mizzou's Aaron Senne has been named to the 2010 American Baseball Coaches' Association (ABCA) All-Midwest Region First Team. The honor is the latest for Senne, who has also be named an All-American, the Big 12 Co-Player of the Year and the District VI Player of the Year.

Senne hit .400 with 16 home runs, 59 RBI and 22 doubles last season. He became the first Tiger to hit .400 since 1988. He also was drafted for the third time as he was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 10th Round of the Major League Baseball Draft earlier this week.

The senior ended his career at MU as the all-time record holder for hits (291), doubles (69), extra-base hits (114), and total bases (492). He is among the Top 10 in Tigers' history in at-bats, home runs, RBI, walks, runs, and slugging percentage. He had helped Missouri play in three of their school-record six consecutive NCAA tournaments before a young squad just missed a big this season.

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Doug Mathis pitched a complete game on 95 pitches, striking out six against no walks and nine hits. (NewbergReport.com)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Senne feels at home in pro baseball (TigerExtra.com)
“It’s not too different from college,” Senne said in a phone interview yesterday, “there’s just a lot more of it.”

Senne, a four-year starter for the Missouri baseball team, started his pro career last week with the Jamestown Jammers.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Culp and Frey gain experience (Edwardsville Intelligencer)
Nathan Culp and Evan Frey are trying to live the dream by becoming major league baseball players.

Culp, a 2003 graduate of Edwardsville High School, is playing for the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affliate of the San Diego Padres.

He was a 2006, fourth round pick for the Friars after pitching in college for the Missouri Tigers.

Culp has split time between the Triple-A affiliate of San Diego, the Portland Beavers, and the Missions as a southpaw, compiling an overall record of 1-6 with a 5.17 ERA. He’s appeared in 16 games total with 11 starts in 2010.

He has posted an 0-2 record with an 8.40 ERA in three starts at Portland this year while going 1-4 with a 4.31 ERA at San Antonio.

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

■ MU recruit Myles Smith leads as DC wins another baseball state title (Dearborn Press and Guide)
Smith put the hammer down the rest of the way mowing ‘em down 1-2-3 in the sixth and seventh innings and ending the game by striking out Michael Davey.

Smith allowed five hits in his seven innings of work and neither of the runs West Catholic scored were earned. He walked three and struck out eight.

At the plate, the University of Missouri-bound recruit helped his cause by going 1-for-3 with the pair of RBI.

“Myles has really competed all year for us,” said DeMare, “and this was a great way for him to finish his high school career.
Class of '08 turns out great (SuburbanJournals)
Matt Stites is not far off Borman's pace. The hard-throwing right-hander from Jefferson College recently swept up all-America honors, Region 16 Player of the Year notice and the Vikings MVP Award. And before he had time to wrap and store all those awards, he was tabbed in the 33rd round of the MLB first-year player draft by the Chicago Cubs. No final word yet on whether Stites will sign with the Cubs or follow through on plans to join the University of Missouri baseball program.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors

The Unloved, Revisited: The Continuing Saga of Ian Kinsler (BBTA.com)
And that’s far and away the best answer to the question of what’s wrong with Ian Kinsler: missing power. Even during the past 10 games, during which Kinsler put up a healthy .333 batting average and an even healthier .413 on-base percentage, his power has been conspicuously absent. He racked up only two extra-base hits – both doubles – in that 39-AB stretch, and as a result, his slugging percentage over the period was .385 (which is still 30 points higher than his mark for the season).

Brett Nicholas signs

Brett Nicholas has signed a contract with the Texas Rangers organization and will report to the Spokane Indians of the Class-A Northwest League.

That leaves Nick Tepesch as the only drafted Tiger who has not yet signed a contract. Two MU recruits were also drafted but have not signed.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Majors & Minors

Max Scherzer shuts down Diamondbacks (Detroit Free Press)
The Arizona Diamondbacks weren’t surprised by anything Max Scherzer did today.

They just couldn't do anything about it.
Sunday morning open thread: 5 Questions (BBTA.com)
Can Ian Kinsler continue to compensate for his glaring lack of power with his career-high 13.1 percent walk rate? Or is he destined to eschew patience and start hacking away, which could spell real disaster for his numbers if the power doesn't manifest?
Florida Marlins 2010 Draft recap (collegesplits.com)
Aaron Senne is no Tyler Holt, but he was one of the better values in the 10th round. The lefty first basemen from Missouri posted a scary slash line of 400/506/733 along with a modest 11 percent strikeout rate. By this point in the draft, all the impact bats are gone, but Senne seems like the kind of guy who will at least put on a show for the fans in Jacksonville.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

MizzouTube

Mizzou Baseball videos online

1964 MU Baseball team induction into the MU Sports Hall of Fame
■ Slugger Jacob Priday

Ryan Lollis amazing catch, April 23, 2009

Greg Folgia HBP

Austin Holt stands bat on home plate

■ Mizzou pitchers:
■ MU in the Minors

Saturday, June 19, 2010

SimmonsField.com on Twitter

You can now follow every SimmonsField.com post on twitter. Click that silly little link and follow me as as I tweet.

Never thought I'd see the day.

Mizzou Baseball in the Draft

Major Decision: Wildcat grad Tepecsh will decide future in coming weeks after being drafted by Rangers (bluespringsjournal.com)
“I’m not leaning either way right now,” Tepesch said. “I’m supposed to meet with them (the Rangers) sometime soon and have a better idea what could happen. Right now I’m just down at school working out and conditioning.”
Royals Corner interview with Jason Adam (RoyalsCorner.com)
Jason Adam, a graduate of Blue Valley Northwest [and MU Recruit], was selected by the Royals in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. Over the weekend, RC's Connor Moylan caught up with the young right-hander to discuss his repertoire and his prospects of signing with the Royals. [paid subscription required]

A Mizzou Recruit in Summer Ball

Falmouth defeats Harwich, 2-1 (falcommodores.com)
Falmouth starter Matt Stites [MU Recruit] picked up the win, and he was phenomenal in his first start. He pitched six shutout innings, struck out seven batters, and allowed only four hits. Commodores’ starters are 3-0 and have only allowed one earned run in 19 innings this season.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

Tyler Clark has been assigned to the Connecticut Tigers of the Class-A New York-Penn League. Their season begins June 26th.

Q&A with Rangers general manager Daniels (Victoria Advocate)
Q: When it comes to drafting young players, high school kids who are leaving the house for the first time, how important are their families to helping ease their sons into being a pro baseball player?

A: That's a part we really stressed with our scouts - get in the home, see what these kids are like, are they going to be able to handle it. Not everybody is ready to go out and sign right away. A lot of it comes down to their families.

We put our managers at our three lowest levels stateside with them. Jayce Tingler (MU 00-03) has really worked with a lot of young kids and has a really good feel for that. He's the first guy who's going to teach them how to be a professional.
How a botched draft pick turned into Drew Storen (DC.SBNation.com)
Would you trade Drew Storen for a Double-A starter with an ERA over five? Thankfully, Jim Bowden sort of did, and the Nats are better for it.
. . .
But, because the rules of the draft had changed, it wasn't truly a squandering, and that's what leads us to Storen. When Aaron Crow didn't sign, the Nats received a compensatory selection in the 2009 draft. In effect, the team traded 2008 Aaron Crow for 2009 Drew Storen.

2011 Mizzou Baseball Roster: Tentative

Some of these players may go seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Some won't make the final roster cuts next season (there are close to 40 names on this list).

And there will be other recruits that I haven't discovered yet.

For better or worse, here is our first approximation of what the 2011 Roster could look like. Sort of.

Listed edited August 17, 2010
• Eric Anderson RHP/IF (SO)
• Ryan Ampleman, C (SR)
• Brad Buehler, RHP (SR)
• Kenny Burton, LHP (SO)
• Blake Brown, OF (SO)
• Brian Carr, LHP (JR)
• Brannon Champagne, OF (SO)
• Ryan Clubb, RHP (JR)
• Ian Ekery, LHP/3B (FR)
• Jeff Emens, RHP (JR)
• Dillon Everet, IF (FR)
• Kelly Fick, LHP (SR)
• Micahel Franco, 3B/RHP (FR)
• Eric Garcia, IF (SO)
• Ryan Gebhart, OF (JR)
• Zach Hardoin, LHP (SR)
• James Hudelson, RHP (JR)
• Neil Hugenberg, RHP (SO)
• Russell LaFleur, OF (SR)
• Matt Linderer, RHP/SS (FR)
• Jeff Lusardi, OF/IF (SO)
• Conner Mach, INF (JR)
• Kevin Mahler, LHP (SR)
• Phil McCormick, LHP (SR)
• Garrison McLagan, OF/IF (JR)
• Danny Murphy, 2B/SS (FR) Walk-on
• Dane Opel, OF (SO)
• Andreas Plackis, C (SO)
• Andre Rodriguez, OF (SO)
• Dusty Ross, RHP ((JR)
• Jesse Santo, SS (SR)
• Jeff Scardino, RHP (SR)
• Jonah Schmidt, OF/IF (SR)
• Myles Smith, RHP/SS (FR)
• Scott Sommerfeld, OF, 1B, C (SO)
• Matt Stites, RHP (JR)
• Andrew Thigpen, IF (SR)
• Ben Turner, C/1B (JR)
• Rob Zastryzny, LHP/OF (FR)
If anyone has any additions, subtractions or other information, please let me know (simmonsfield@hotmail.com)and we will continue to update this list.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Draft Update: Senne signs

Aaron Senne has signed with the Florida Marlins, according to JamestownJammers.com.
First baseman Aaron Senne is the highest draft pick to report to Jamestown. He was selected in the 10th round out of the University of Missouri, where he played in 55 games and hit .400 with 16 homers, 59 runs batted in and 22 doubles. Senne was named Big 12 Conference Co-Player of the Year after becoming the first Tiger to hit .400 since 1988.

Tyler Clark signs

Tyler Clark has signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to mlb.com.
Detroit signed seven pitchers: Kyle Ryan (12th round, No. 373), Tyler Clark (24th round, No. 733), Shawn Teufel (25th round, No. 763), Jeff Ferrell (26th round, No. 793), Logan Hoch (30th round, No. 913), Matthew Little (31st round, No. 943) and Brennan Smith (33rd round, No. 1,003).

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bats: Metal or Wood?

Coaches comments of wooden bats (AP)
"Playing baseball with a wood bat is the way the game was made to be played. But it isn't going to happen. It isn't our mission to prepare players for pro baseball." — Texas coach Augie Garrido.
. . .
"Aluminum is better for our game because we don't have players that can handle the wooden bat well enough to make our game as exciting as it needs to be." — Oklahoma State coach Frank Anderson.
. . .
"At least with the aluminum bat, you know everyone has the same tool in their hand. That's why I have to be totally in favor of aluminum." — Wichita State coach Gene Stephenson.
. . .

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

Adam in attendance (Kansas City Star)
“We’re going to set up a plan for the summer,” Jason Adam said. “You know, whether they want me to come out to Arizona before I sign (and) what I should be doing on my own this summer.”

Adam, who features a curveball, changeup and a fastball that sits in the low 90s, hasn’t signed a contract with the Royals yet.

However, he remains hopeful a deal can get done. Otherwise, he’ll take a baseball scholarship to play at Missouri.

“I think (negotiations will) most likely go well, but nothing’s for sure right now,” Adam said.
All City Baseball (El Paso Times)
Missouri recruit Ian Ekery LHP from El Paso, Texas was named first team All-City and first team All-District 5A for the second straight year. As a sophomore Ian was named second team All-City and second team All-District 5A. Ian was ranked number one in the pre-season coaches poll of players to watch in El Paso. Ian ended his senior season 7-2 with a 2.60 era and 47 k's in 51 innings. Ian also started the season hitting safely in 28 straight games.
Dillon Everett, SS from Horizon HS, was named to the Arizona State High School Baseball Coaches Association 5A Division II All-State 2nd Team.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Conference Hokey-Pokey

Trrip note: While I find it ludicrous that T Boone Pickens is complaining that Mizzou complains all the time and Harvey Perlman accuses Mizzou of disloyalty as his school becomes one of only two teams to abandon the Big 12, I really don't have a problem with Mizzou's new image as the team everybody loves to hate. This could unify Mizzou fans like nothing else has in a long time. Bring it on!

MIZZOUEXPANSIONAPALOOZA: Haters Gonna Hate (RockMNation.com)
But guess what: Mizzou has been treated unfairly for years. And they're still succeeding at a higher level than they ever have. And now they have a lot more money with which to work.

If that's losing, I can't wait to see what winning's like.
NU will be playing baseball in a true northern conference (Husker Extra)
Consider that Nebraska, which just finished ninth in the 10-team Big 12, had a RPI that ranked higher than all but two of the 10 Big Ten teams. No wonder the league received only its automatic bid -- tournament champion Minnesota -- into this year’s field of 64.

Though Boyd’s World rates the Big Ten’s RPI 12th out of 32 conferences (compared with the Big 12’s No. 4), “I still think we have the ability to be a national power,” Nebraska coach Mike Anderson said. “We’re going to have to work hard at trying to create a strong RPI, and work hard against new and very good competition.
Recruits

■ The Kansas Baseball Coaches Association 2010 All-State Team includes MU Recruit/Royals draftee Jason Adam as 3B on the Class 6A 1st Team.

■ The Missouri State High School Activities Association Coaches All-State Team includes MU Recruit Matt Linderer as a Pitcher on the Class 3 1st Team.

Summer Ball

Newcomers go deep in first game with Generals (Victoria Advocate)
His shot was part of back-to-back home runs with another newcomer, second baseman Conner Mach, who plays at the University of Missouri, and hit a home run right before Baker to the same part of the park.

"They're two guys that got numerous at-bats in the Big 12," said Generals coach Chris Clemons. "They got in yesterday, obviously this was their first game. They're going to take good hacks, and they took good hacks there and got it up into the jet stream."

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Draft Update

Florida Marlins draft review (MinorLeagueBall.com)
Aaron Senne, 1B, University of Missouri: Rebounded after a poor junior year to revive his prospect status, showed greatly improved power this year and has some pure hitting skills. Throws well and can play outfield if you don't mind below average range. Nice value selection.
MU in the Minors

Crow adapting in minors (CJOnline.com)
"The important thing is to develop 17 inches of the plate and do a lot more than throw to the corner or throwing to make guys swing and miss," Carter said.

"If you watch him pitch it's a real powerful delivery and a really fast tempo. There's a lot of things that can go wrong when you work so fast and you try to generate so much. You just lock in to massage his mind a little bit and trust that over 17 inches that he has really good stuff."

Crow listens. Intently.

"What a great kid. His personality is just outstanding," Carter said.

But the pitching coach also senses that his young right-hander can be too hard on himself, especially if Crow doesn't get outs after falling behind on hitters.

Conference Hokey-Pokey

College baseball, Pac-16 style (Lubbock Online)
Now, here comes the intriguing part. Name the one coach in the current Big 12 who knows how to coach against Pac-10 schools -- that's right, Dan Spencer. His time as an assistant at Oregon State and his knowledge of Pac-10 parks suddenly becomes very valuable. Bigger ballparks, different styles of play.

"Coaching will be different in certain places like UCLA at night," Spencer told me recently. "It will be different in Corvallis (Ore.). There will be more small ball and things like that to score runs because you're less likely to hit the two-run home run, so that would change. There might be days in Lubbock you don't want to give up an out for 90 feet early in the game because it's more important to score 2-3 runs at a time, but in Corvallis you might go ahead and bunt and try for one run early in the game more than you would in Lubbock."

Kirk Bohls' 9 things and one crazy prediction (statesman.com)
4. Still to be resolved is the conflict between Texas' pending acceptance of the Pac-10 Conference and the resolution by the Austin City Council last month to boycott the state of Arizona and refrain from any commerce or business with that state because of its controversial, new immigration law. Of course, the University of Texas is pretty much a nation unto itself.

Monday, June 14, 2010

MU in Summer Ball

Here's a partial list of where MU players will be playing in the summer wood bat leagues. If you have more information about other players' plans, let me know at simmonsfield@hotmail.com

A good source for news about the summer wood bat leagues is http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/

Alaska Baseball League

Peninsula Oilers
• Ryan Gebhart
California Collegiate League

San Luis Obispo Blues
• Dane Opel
• Former MU Pitching Coach Chal Fanning is the head coach of the Blues
Cape Cod League

■ Falmouth Commodores
• Eric Anderson was scheduled to pitch for the Commodores, but will instead spend the summer rehabbing from his season-ending injury
Hyannis Harbor Hawks
• Jeff Lusardi
Northwoods League

Duluth Huskies
• Scott Sommerfeld
M.I.N.K. League

Sedalia Bombers
• Zach Hardoin
• Ryan Clubb
St. Joseph Mustangs
• Sam Lind (former Tiger)
Prospect League

Hannibal Cavemen
• James Hudelson (JuCo transfer to MU)
Texas Collegiate League

East Texas PumpJacks
• Jesse Santo
Texas Tomcats
• Eric Garcia
• Andre Rodriguez
Victoria Generals
•Conner Mach
West Coast League

Cowlitz Black Bears
• Garrison McLagan
• Jake Walsh
■ Former Tiger Bryson Leblanc (05-06) is the head coach for the Bears
It's a nomad's life for Black Bears' skipper (tdn.com)
Bryson LeBlanc is always up for a challenge.

In 2009, he hooked on with the University of Oregon baseball team as a volunteer assistant coach, working with the outfielders and coaching first base as the Ducks returned to the diamond for the first time in 28 years.

Several months after Oregon's season ended, LeBlanc was hired as the first head coach for the Cowlitz Black Bears, the newest entry in the West Coast League.
Another new team, another new challenge.


Wood bats a welcome challenge for Black Bears hitters (tdn.com)
With a wooden bat, barrel must meet baseball exactly right, and even perfect contact generates less oomph than its metallic descendants.

Miss the sweet spot by an inch, you kill a rally.

Miss by more, you kill a bat.

For the members of the Cowlitz Black Bears who are making their first full-time adjustment from aluminum to wood, that's just the way they like it.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Mizzou Baseball: 3 Great Tigers

Every Mizzou Baseball fan should click on this link and read the entire article about Nick Tepesch and his high school teammates:

Back Home (Independence Examiner)
The calendar might say it’s 2010, but for Nick Tepesch and some of his former Blue Springs High School baseball teammates, it was 2007 all over again.

Tepesch, The Examiner’s 2007 High School Player of the Year and American Legion Player of the Year who selected by the Texas Rangers in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday, was back at his old high school on Thursday helping coach Tim McElligott with his youth baseball camp.

“Look at those guys,” McElligott said as Tepesch and his buddies clowned around on a John Deere cart. “You’d think they were in grade school, let alone high school.

“That’s what’s so great about Nick. Here he is, a big stud at the University of Missouri who gets drafted by the Texas Rangers, and he’s back here with his buddies helping with a baseball camp.”
Aaron Senne named NCBWA District VI Player of the Year (NCBWA.c0m)
Aaron Senne was the Big 12 Conference Co-Player of the Year and a 2010 All-American after hitting .400 with 16 home runs, 59 RBI and 22 doubles. He became the first Tiger to hit .400 since 1988. He also was drafted for the third time in '10 after passing up two earlier offers from the Minnesota Twins. The senior from Rochester, Minn. (home of the famed Mayo Clinic), ended his career at MU as the all-time record holder for hits (291), doubles (69), extra-base hits (114), and total bases (492). He is among the Top 10 in Tigers' history in at-bats, home runs, RBI, walks, runs, and slugging percentage. He had helped Missouri play in three of their school-record six consecutive NCAA tournaments before a young squad just missed a big this season.
Draft Update

■ According to the Kansas City Star, MU SS Mike Liberto has signed a contract with the Royals.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Conference Hokey-Pokey & Draft Updates

Conference Realignment

■ UM President Gary Forsee made a bold statement as to which of the sports is really the most relevant in his statement about the Conference Hokey-Pokey situation (Columbia Tribune)
"It's a nine-inning game, whether we’re in the bottom of the first inning or bottom of the ninth, the speculation has been running away from everyone, including all of you in this room for the last seven months. The fact that we have obligations to our Big 12 Conference first and foremost … you shouldn't be surprised the lack of information from the University of Missouri."
Obviously, the MU administration people are taking their cues on the whole "media silence" strategy from the same people at MU who have learned the value of not releasing vital information to the media (things like lists of signed recruits, etc.)

You heard it here first: My reliable sources tell me Tim Jamieson is the mastermind behind the curtain in Mizzou's battle plan for the Conference Hokey-Pokey.

Quote of the Week from tigerboard.com, summing up the Conference Realignment Hokey-Pokey going on:
"I have one source, and it is not Alden or Deaton. I know what he knows, more specifically, what he decides to tell me.

At this point, I just don't know."
Nebraska to the Big Ten? (CollegeBaseballToday.com)
Yep, it looks like it’s gonna happen now. Here are some goods and bads on the situation, as far as from the baseball perspective.

And yes, I realize all this impending conference movement that will make earthshaking headlines for the weeks to come are based solely on football motivations. That’s obvious. But there IS a baseball side to this too.
. . .
I can’t be the only one giving the Big 10 its props. I think Nebraska joining the conference will also give it more legitimacy with other major college baseball outlets. Then again, if you want to know how good Big 10 baseball teams are, just go ahead and ask Dave Serrano and Cal State Fullerton right about now.
. . .
Non-Conference scheduling will be of vital importance. Nebraska always schedules well. But now they’ll have to hope teams like Fresno State, UCLA, Elon and Rice REALLY turn out to be as good as they can be when they’re on the schedule. The non-conference slate takes on a much more important role.

Tech coaches embrace Pac-10 possibility (redraiders.com)
Dan Spencer, Baseball

On differences between leagues: “The style will be different from the standpoint that the ballparks are different. The parks in the Big 12 are smaller, and the wind blows out. The parks in the Pac-10 are bigger.
. . .
“So it will be two contrasting styles you have to play in, sounds like. But those West Coast teams will also have to play in Texas, and I can see where that will make for some interesting rivalries and teams will have to do creative things. The quality of competition will jump and will make for the best baseball league in the country.”


Realignment and Wichita State (Wichita Eagle)
Nebraska appears to be on its way to the Big 10, the 12th-ranked conference. The futures of Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State remain unknowns. No matter where they land, it’s unlikely to be in a stronger baseball conference than the Big 12. On the flip side, WSU does play Nebraska, KU and K-State, so RPI drops at those schools affect WSU’s strength of schedule.

If the Big 12 North schools lose their affiliation with the Big 12 South, it’s a minus for baseball. That doesn’t instantly elevate WSU. It does, however, change the baseball landscape in ways that may benefit the Shockers
.
Draft Update

Royals High School Draft info on Michael Antonio and Jason Adam (14for77.com)
As a Missouri commit will the rumors of the Big 12 possibly dissolving have any influence on your decision to sign a pro contract?

It doesn't really play a factor because it wont take effect until my junior year and I chose Missouri because I liked Mizzou not because I liked the big 12.
Royals begin work to sign 50 new players (Kansas City Star)
Negotiations with right-handed pitcher Jason Adam, a fifth-round pick from Blue Valley Northwest, are expected to take a while.

“We’re going to have to work to get (Adam) signed,” Picollo said, “but some guys taken shortly after that will be there.”
Texas Rangers draft review (minorleagueball.com)
6) Brett Nicholas, C, University of Missouri: Nicholas has power and the ability to be a decent defensive catcher. He's not a spectacular pick, but he's not a bad one either, and provides some backstop depth for the system.
. . .
FOUR OTHERS OF NOTE: 14-Nick Tepesch, RHP, Missouri; 18-Steve Buechele, 3B, Oklahoma; 29-Trae Davis, RHP, Texas HS; 30-Brian Ragira, OF; Texas HS

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Missouri's Senne ready for the next level (Columbia Missourian)
Despite all of the success he’s experienced in high school and college, Senne knows he has a lot to prove as a professional baseball player.

“I have to go in there and start over,” he said. “I need to make a name for myself just as I did here.”

Senne, working without an agent as of Wednesday, plans to sign with the Marlins within the week. The specific details haven’t been worked out in his contract, but he expects he’ll begin by playing in the New York-Penn League, which is a short-season A League that primarily features players, like Senne, who have just come out of college.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Mizzou Baseball Past & Future

Draft News

Mayo High grad Senne drafted by the Florida Marlins (Rochester Post Bulletin)
"It's different," Senne said. "I was hoping they (the Twins) would get me again, but I knew it wasn't a very good shot."

There is a very strong chance that Senne will sign with the Marlins, however. It's just a matter of when. He is coming off a stellar senior season, and career, at Missouri. As a senior, Senne batted .400 for the Tigers with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs. He was the Big 12 co-player of the year and was a third-team All-American.

"I'm sure we'll work a deal out," Senne said of joining the Marlins franchise.
Texas likes what it sees in MU battery (Columbia Tribune)
The Texas Rangers selected Nicholas in the sixth round and Tepesch in the 14th round yesterday on the second day of the Major League Baseball first-year players draft.

“I texted him earlier today and told him that I looked forward to continuing to be his teammate,” Nicholas said. “The chance to continue playing with a guy you’ve been working with all year is a big upside, and just the type of guy he is, it would be a blessing to team up with him.”

Former Tigers

Back where he belongs (St. Joseph News Press)
An arm injury derailed Sam Lind’s 2008 fall season at Missouri and laid the foundation for a rift between player and team.

Lind travelled with the Tigers early in the season but saw limited action. Eventually, he chose to redshirt and hoped to return to Missouri the following season. Instead, Lind found himself without a scholarship and unable to afford the out-of-state tuition.
. . .
Lind could be a drafted in during the Major League Baseball first-year player draft, which started Monday, but likely will suit up Division I next season and try to improve his prospects. Following his successful season at Central Arizona CC, Lind recently visited Cal State-Fullerton and Vanderbilt and should announce his decision soon.
[Trrip Note: I've heard from a reliable source that Lind will be playing for Vanderbilt next season]

MU Recruits

■ Two MU Recruits - Michael Franco and Rob Zastryzny - were named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All Star Team (4A-5A South)

Calallen wins pair, advances to state tournament (Corpus Christi Caller)
Rob Zastryzny got a firsthand taste of sweet redemption on Saturday.

The senior ace rebounded from his lone loss one night earlier to lead Calallen to a Region IV-4A title and a trip to state with a 1-0 Game 3 win over Lake Travis at Blossom Athletic Center.


MU in the Minors

Frederick closes in on playoff berth (MASNSports.com)
Last night, lefty Rick Zagone pitched Frederick to the win, allowing just one run and two hits over six innings. Zagone is now 3-5, 3.36 and is 5th in the league in innings and 8th in ERA.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Mizzou Baseball 2010 Draft

Two Mizzou Recruits and 5 current Tigers were selected in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft.

SimmonsField.com will continue to cover the draft in the coming weeks and months as news filters in on which Tigers and MU Recruits sign professional contracts and which will be in Black & Gold this fall. The signing deadline for players selected in the 2010 draft is August 15th.

Jason Adam, RHP, 149th overall pick,5th round, Kansas City Royals. Adam is from Blue Valley Northwest High School in the Kansas City area.

Royals' second-day picks include BV Northwest pitcher Jason Adam (Kansas City Star)
Adam represents proof of general manager Dayton Moore’s stated intention to ensure the Royals don’t get scooped on prospects in their own backyard.

Scouts say Adam, a Missouri recruit, possesses the tools desired in a big-league starter: Good size with a consistent delivery and a repertoire consisting of a low-90s fastball, a plus curve and an improving changeup.

Adam seemed a likely pick for the first three rounds until caution surfaced late this spring when his performance dipped slightly. But he was too good to pass up in the fifth round.
2010 Royals Draft - Jason Adam P - Blue Valley NW (RoyalsProspects.com)
He has a lot of room to grow and can improve his power dramatically over the next couple of seasons in the minors. The consensus amongst most baseball scouts was that Adam would be a second round selection, so the Royals may have caught a huge break by him falling to the fifth round and can get him to sign.
. . .
Comment from reader: I heard signability. Apparently his parents have some money and so he’s only going to sign above slot. He’s a legitimate 2nd-3rd round talent.
Quick recap of Royals picks, rounds 1-10 (RoyalsReview.com)
Round 5--Jason Adam--Blue Valley NW pitcher who has a Missou commitment. Has a decent FB but is projected to add velocity. Work in progress. Keith Law says we'll sign him for about $1 million
■ Brett Nicholas, Catcher, 196th overall draft pick,6th round, Texas Rangers

Texas likes what it sees in MU battery (Columbia Tribune)
The Texas Rangers selected Nicholas in the sixth round and Tepesch in the 14th round yesterday on the second day of the Major League Baseball first-year players draft.

“I texted him earlier today and told him that I looked forward to continuing to be his teammate,” Nicholas said. “The chance to continue playing with a guy you’ve been working with all year is a big upside, and just the type of guy he is, it would be a blessing to team up with him.”


Nicholas leads five Missouir baseball players selected (Columbia Missourian)
Junior Catcher Brett Nicholas was the highest Tiger selected, taken in the 6th round by the Texas Rangers. Nicholas led the team in RBI's with 64 and was second in home runs with 12.
Rangers Draft Roundup (Dallas News)
Just like Ian Kinsler and Doug Mathis before him, Nicholas is an Arizona kid (he's from Phoenix) who wound up at Missouri. And while the Rangers' have changed area scouts in Missouri, Mike Grouse, now the regional crosschecker (middle manager in the scouting operation), saw him just like he did Kinsler and Mathis. Nichols started his college career at Gonzaga (Kinsler started at Arizona State), transferred to a junior college in Arizona (as did Kinsler) and wound up at Missouri. This season, he hit .352 with 12 homers and a team-high 64 RBIs. He's listed as a 3B-C. He hits left-handed. A left-handed hitting catcher? The kid's got a future.
■ Aaron Senne, 1B, 317th overall pick, 10th round, Florida Marlins

■ Nick Tepesch, RHP, 436th overall pick, 14th, Texas Rangers

■ Michael Liberto, SS, 629th overall selection, 21st round, Kansas City Royals

Major League Baesball Draft: Louisiana on Day 2 (NewOrleans.com)
Missouri infielder Michael Liberto was selected by the Kansas City Royals as the 629th overall choice.

NOTE A Rummel product, Liberto also played at Delgado where his coach Joe Scheuermann called him the smartest player he has ever coached. A native of Harahan, Liberto (5-9, 165) was part of the 2006 American Legion national championship team.
■Tyler Clark, RHP, 733rd overall selection, 24th round, Detroit Tigers

Catholic graduate drafted again (Springfield News-Leader)
Former Catholic High School star Tyler Clark has now had his name called at the Major League Baseball draft on two occasions.

Clark was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 24th round (733rd overall pick) today. He was drafted in the 46th round by the Chicago Cubs following his seniors year of high school in 2007.

He chose to take a scholarship to the University of Missouri. This season, Clark worked primarily out of the bullpen with just two starts in 26 appearances. He was 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA and struck out 43 batters in 38 innings.
■ MU Recruit RHP Matt Stites, 1000th overall pick, 33rd round, Chicago Cubs.

Draft Chat with Jim Callis (Baseball America)
Golden was one of the better athletes in the draft. I didn't mind Micah Gibbs in the third round, VG receiver and leader, should hit decently. They got a fine pair of in-state sleepers in Eric Jokisch (11th) and Ryan Hartman (16th). Matt Stites (33rd) is one of my favorite third-day picks so far.

MU Recruit Matt Stites drafted by Chicago Cubs

MU Recruit RHP Matt Stites was selected by the Chicago Cubs as the 1000th overall pick in the 33rd round on Day 3 of the MLB Amateur Draft. He is the second MU recruit selected in the 2010 draft.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tyler Clark drafted by Detroit Tigers

Mizzou Junior RHP Tyler Clark has been selected by the Detroit Tigers as the 733rd overall selection in the 24th round of the MLB Amateur draft.

Mike Liberto drafted by Kansas City Royals

Michael Liberto was selected by the Kansas City Royals as the 629th overall selection in the 21st round of the MLB Amateur Draft.

Nick Tepesch drafted in 14th round by Texas Rangers

Mizzou junior pitcher Nick Tepesch was drafted by the Texas Rangers as the 436th overall pick in the 14th round of the MLB Amateur Draft.

Most observers had expected Tepesch to be drafted in a higher round, somewhere between the 5th and 10th rounds.

Matt Nestor of the Columbia Tribune reported on Sunday that Tepesch is rumored to be considering a return to the Tigers in 2001.
Though he’s thought to be a third- or fourth-rounder this year, that might not be enough to sate Tepesch. Word around Taylor Stadium this spring indicated that Tepesch has had thoughts about returning for his senior year.

When discussing the Tigers’ pitching situation for 2011 last week at the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City, MU Coach Tim Jamieson hinted as much.

“Tepesch coming back, you don’t know what’s going to happen there,” the coach said.

Tepesch, who had a 6-6 record with a 4.20 ERA and 75 strikeouts this season, last week wouldn’t tip his hand.

“I’m just gonna see what happens and kind of decide from there,” said Tepesch, who has been ranked anywhere from 78th to 178th among overall prospects.
It's possible those rumors had the effect of lowering Tepesch's draft status, with clubs concerned about signability.

Last year Tepesch's teammate Aaron Senne was drafted in the 32nd round and chose to return for his senior season with the Tigers. Senne batted .400 on the year, was Big 12 Player of the Year, and was a 3rd Team All-American. As a result, he raised his draft level up to the 10th round for 2010.

Aaron Senne drafted by the Flordia Marlins

MU senior first baseman Aaron Senne was selected by the Florida Marlins as the 317th overall pick in the 10th round of the MLB Amateur Draft. Senne was drafted last year in the 32nd round by the Twins.

Brett Nicholas drafted by Texas Rangers

Mizzou Catcher Brett Nicholas has been selected as the 196th overall draft pick in the 6th round of the MLB Amateur Draft. He is the first current Tiger to be named in the draft.

MU Recruit Jason Adam drafted in 5th round by Royals

MU recruit, RHP Jason Adam was named as the 149th overall pick in the 5th round of the MLB Amateur Draft today, chosen by his hometown Kansas City Royals. Adam is from Blue Valley Northwest High School in the Kansas City area.

It will be interesting to see whether Adam is enticed by the high round pick and the hometown team, or whether he will pass on the professional ranks at show up at Mizzou this fall.

Adam is the first name to appear in the 2010 Dradft among Mizzou players or recruits.

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

CSD's Custom Cards chose a photo of Blake Brown for one of his creations.
As I said earlier I was in Austin and was lucky enough to be able to catch a few innings of an Aggies home game. One of the pictures that I took caught my eye, and that is why Caleb is in this set. He is not one of the top 100 college players like Gary Brown was, but he did make a tough catch in the wind and I was lucky enough to capture it on film (or digital media). The ball was hit by Blake Brown, and his follow through on that hit can be seen on his card
Happy birthday, Doug Mathis (lonestarball.com)
Great photo: Texas Rangers relief pitcher Doug Mathis ducks away from a flying bat let go by Kansas City Royals' Jason Kendall, during a steal attempt by Mike Aviles in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 9, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. The bat cleared Mathis and Aviles was thrown out by the catcher on the play in the 6-4 Rangers win.
■ Former Tiger Hunter Mense was promoted to the Double-A Jackson Suns (minorleaguebaseball.com)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Mizzou Baseball in the MLB Draft

The 2010 MLB Amateur Draft will be held June 7-9, carried live on MLB.com
• June 7, 6 p.m. CT: Round 1, First-Year Player Draft, Secaucus, N.J.
• June 8, 11 a.m. CT: Rounds 2-30, First-Year Player Draft
• June 9, 11 a.m. CT: Rounds 31-50, First-Year Player Draft
The following MU players are listed on the MLB.com 2010 DraftTracker, usually an indication there is some interest in the player:
  • Brad Buehler
  • Tyler Clark
  • Brett Nicholas
  • Jesse Santo
  • Aaron Senne
  • Nick Tepesch
And the following MU Recruits:
  • Jason Adam
  • James Hudelson
  • Myles Smith
  • Matt Stites
Major league material (TigerExtra.com)
Though he’s thought to be a third- or fourth-rounder this year, that might not be enough to sate Tepesch. Word around Taylor Stadium this spring indicated that Tepesch has had thoughts about returning for his senior year.

When discussing the Tigers’ pitching situation for 2011 last week at the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City, MU Coach Tim Jamieson hinted as much.

“Tepesch coming back, you don’t know what’s going to happen there,” the coach said.
Aaron Senne

Senne in a good place as draft approaches (Rochester Post-Bulletin)
Eleven months later, it's clear that Senne couldn't have made a better choice. Not only did he relish his senior year at a college he adores, but Senne set himself up beautifully for something that will happen next week.
. . .
But after what Senne accomplished this season wearing the Tigers' yellow and black, it will be nothing less than stunning if he doesn't go a whole lot higher than the 32nd round. With that, the financial offer figures to take a jump, too.
Mizzou's Senne rebounding (sportingnews.com, 3/24/10)
Senne's lanky 6-2, 199-pound frame still has room to grow, and his power should increase accordingly.

One scout said Senne can get tied up inside, but his bat speed and future power are legit enough to project him as a possible major league right fielder, similar to the Dodgers' Andre Ethier. The two have different kinds of bodies, but they've shown the same sort of performance and tools. Senne's arm is average but his throws have carry. Senne, though, is an average to below-average runner.

If he puts together a solid senior year, Senne might just find himself being drafted by the Twins again. He easily could go in the sixth or seventh round, maybe even higher. The two-time academic All-American is hoping a third time with the Twins is a charm.

Nick Tepesch


MLB Draft Noes: Conference tournament updates (baseballrumormill.com)
Nick Tepesch from Missouri also continues to play well, but quietly. Tepesch threw a complete game against Texas, giving up ten hits and two walks. Huang notes "Tepesch has the tools scouts want in a No. 1 big-league starter. Now his consistency is matching his ability as he has strung together a series of solid performances late in the season."
■ Nick Tepesch, RHP (Missouri): Projected to be drafted in 2010 MLB Draft: 5th Round, 175th Overall Pick (DraftSite.com)

■ Listed at #130 on Baseball America's Top 200 Draft Prospects

Brett Nicholas

BaseballDraftReport.com lists Nicholas at 18th among the top draft-eligible college catchers
Similar to Swab in that both are junior college transfers with solid hit tools capable of playing a variety of positions, but Nicholas’ greater power potential and more intriguing secondary position (Nicholas is at least passable on the hot corner) gives him the advantage.
MU Recruit Jason Adam

■ Jason Adam, RHP (Blue Valley Northwest High School): Projected to be drafted in 2010 MLB Draft: 5th Round, 155th Overall Pick(DraftSite.com)

■ Jason Adam is listed #90 in the Top 100 Draft Prospects on MLBBonusBaby.com

■ Listed at #54 on Baseball America's Top 200 Draft Prospects

MU Recruit James Hudelson

■ Hudelson is listed at #66 on the Perfect Game Top 100 Junior College Baseball Players for the 2010 Draft (njcaa.org)

Gems, Cavemen could get caught in draft (Quincy Herald Whig)
The Prospect League season kicks off Thursday, but it may be a short stay for some members of the Quincy Gems and the Hannibal Cavemen.
Even though both teams submitted their rosters to the league last weekend, each may need to tweak them down the road if players are selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which starts next Monday and continues through Wednesday.
. . .
Hemond believes some of his player may be selected at some point, led by Jefferson College's James Hudelson. Hudelson is expected to be Hannibal's closer and, according to Hemond, has a scholarship offer to play next season at the University of Missouri.
MU Recruit Matt Stites

■ Stites is listed at #33 on the Perfect Game Top 100 Junior College Baseball Players for the 2010 Draft (njcaa.org)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Big 12 Ultimatum?

Nebraska, Missouri given ultimatum on deciding their futures (Autin American Statesman)

Nebraska and Missouri have been given an ultimatum by the Big 12 and told they have until this Friday to decide if they want to remain in the conference or entertain the possibility of joining the Big Ten, two highly placed officials of two Big 12 schools said Saturday.

The deadline was given to the pair of schools by the Big 12 presidents during the league meetings held in Kansas City this past week.

Nebraska's Board of Trustees will meet Friday and Saturday in Lincoln.

"Nebraska has until 5 p.m. on Friday to tell us what they're going to do," one school official said, adding that he has heard that deadline could be extended to June 15. "The same deal for Missouri. They have to tell us they're not going to the Big Ten or … ."

2011 Schedule

As always, we'll be piecing together a tentative 2011 MU Baseball Schedule, based on schedules released by opponents, scurrilous rumors and e-mailed tips from people in the know.

And eventually some kind person with connections will send us a tentative schedule.

Right now, we've got nothing.

So if you've got any info to share, my email is simmonsfield@hotmail.com

Mizzou Baseball History: John "Hi" Simmons on the MLB Draft

■ From the Columbia Missourian, February 11, 1966: College Baseball to Suffer from Major Leagues' Draft
Major league baseball will not polish its already somewhat tarnished image with the semi-annual draft it began last June, according to Missouri baseball coach John "Hi" Simmons.
. . .
Simmons described how a college coach with talented juniors and seniors on his squad would not be sure until his first game was played whether he would have those stars for the season. When the pros draft a player in January, they must sign him before his college campaign starts or they can't touch him until after his last game.

The problem is that the six month draft period ends May 31. After that the unsigned names go back into the pool. Because the NCAA playoffs are held in June, the major leagues will make every effort to sign their draftees before the college season begins if they think the boy's team has any chance at all of making the NCAA tourney.

College players cannot be drafted in their freshman and sophomore years unless they are 21, dismissed from school or a hardship financial case.

But after two years of college anything goes.

"If players develop too well too soon, we'll lose them, " Simmons said. "Eventually there may not be any seniors of superior baseball talent left in college."
. . .
The majors started the draft because bonuses were getting out of hand, often reportedly reaching the $175,000-$200,000 range. This was uncalled for, but the present situation is unfair to college baseball.

Simmons proposed a solution to the dilemma.

"The teams should judge talent a little better and shouldn't pay more than it's worth. If a team and a boy can't agree on terms, the team should pass him up."

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Mizzou Baseball Recruits

Linderer leads Debourg to state (STLhighschoolsports.com)

DuBourg senior righthander Matt Linderer never met Darryl Kile, but the former Cardinals pitcher who died in 2002 played an important role in the development of the Cavaliers’ ace.

When he takes the mound at 10 a.m. today at Meador Park in Springfield, Mo., for DuBourg’s Class 3 semifinal against Logan-Rogersville, Linderer will do so wearing Kile’s No. 57 on the back of his jersey.

“Watching him pitch made me want to be a pitcher,” Linderer said. “He’s the reason I started pitching. … He’s always been an inspiration for me.”
. . .
Linderer went 5-3 with a 2.23 ERA as a freshman, 1-5 with a 3.76 ERA as a sophomore and 5-3 with two saves and a 1.51 ERA as a junior.

The righthander is 7-1 with two saves and a 1.33 ERA in 63 1/3 innings over nine starts (seven complete games) and 12 appearances this spring. He has struck out 80, walked 22 and opponents are batting .209 against him.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Tip of the Cap 2010: And the winner is . . .

Best Hair

Today is the final installment in our annual Tip of the Cap awards. To wrap things up, we look at the winners and otherwise notables in selected categories.

Base Cadet

We give out the Base Cadet Award annually to the Tiger base runner who exhibits the most creativity (and sometimes the most fool-hardy daring) on the base paths. Former Base Cadets include Brock Bond (currently making a name for himself in the SF Giants' organization) and Ian Kinsler (currently an All Star-worthy second baseman for the Texas Rangers).

But can we give the annual Base Cadet award to a fielder and not a base runner?

Early in the season, Brett Nicholas, normally a catcher, was playing third base in the 9th inning against Florida Atlantic, in the Auburn Classic. Two outs, runner on second. The batter hits the ball between third and short and Nicholas fields it. Instead of throwing to first to get the final out, he takes off chasing the runner, who has advanced toward third base. Chases him all the way back to second base and applies the tag just a moment before the runner reaches safety.

Might have been an easier way to get that out.

Then again, Mr. Nicholas was on the other end of a fielder making a mad charge at a baserunner during a game on March 19th against the Fighting Sioux. When Nicholas made a dash for home, one of the North Dakota infielders came charging across the field toward him. Instead of trying to outrun the fielder to home, Nicholas stopped and then headed back to third. Perhaps a good decision for a catcher turned third baseman. But he ended up in a rundown that resulted in him being tagged out. In the meantime,freshman Eric Garcia tried to take advantage of the situation and took off from second toward third - and also ended up tagged out. Not one of the better base running displays by the Tigers this season.


The Jay Bell Award

We give out this annual award to the Mizzou player who distinguishes himself in action action the Jayhawks of Kansas. The award is named in in honor of a particularly memorable performance back in 1998 by former Tiger Jay Bell (96-98).

Unfortunately, the Tigers were 0-4 against the Ugly Birds in 2010. Looking back, though, one player's performance stands out and exemplifies his quietly consistent performance for the Tigers in 2010.

Infielder stays consistent for Missouri baseball team (Columbia Missourian)
Stay calm.

That has been important for Missouri freshman second baseman Eric Garcia, especially in the tough situation he was in to start the season.
. . .
In Missouri’s 10-3 loss to Kansas on Friday at Hoglund Ball Park in Lawrence, Kan., Garcia stayed consistent. While his teammates struggled batting, Garcia had two hits, including a solo home run, his fifth of the season.
. . .
“He’s real quiet,” Nicholas said. “He just goes about his business. He’s here every day, working hard. There’s not a day that goes by that he’s not getting better."
Over the 4 games against KU, Garcia had 5 hits in 16 at-bats (.312), with 3 runs, 4 RBI, 1 2B and 1 HR


Black & Gold Glove

Dane Opel was a workhorse and a wizard in the outfield, finishing the season with no errors, and many great plays.

Vs. Texas A&M, March 27
Trailing by one to start the inning, Tyler Naquin began the rally with a line single on the first pitch back through the box, and Brandon Wood followed with an 0-1 base hit through the left side to put the winning run on base. The next batter, Brodie Greene, drove a deep fly ball to the track in right, but Tiger outfielder Dane Opel made a great running catch at the wall. The out moved Naquin to third and brought Smith to the plate.
Vs. Texas, May 27
In the top of the eighth inning with the score tied at 4 and Texas was threatening to take the lead, a ball was hit towards the gap off the bat of Texas first baseman Tant Shepherd. But Missouri freshman outfielder Dane Opel ran and made a perfect dive to make the catch and keep the game tied.
To keep Dane humble, though, I'll provide a link to this great photo by Jeff Lautenberger.


The John McKee HBP award

Missouri is not known for getting hit by pitches quite like the team was a few years back. There's no one who racks up anywhere close to the record 35 HBPs collected by John McKee back in 2007.

But three Tigers seemed to be ball magnets, tying for third in HBPs at 12. It's not surprising that two of them are catchers - Brett Nicholas and Ryan Ampleman. The third is an outfielder with the tough mindset of a catcher, Dane Opel.


Best walk-up tune

Some of the walk-up tunes make me wince (I'm an old geezer), some of them make me tap my feet, but there was one that killed me over and over again. Whenever Kelly Fick entered a game in relief, the theme from the TV show Dexter was played - an appropriate theme for a reliever, since Dexter is about a serial killer.


The Mark Alexander "Phoenix" Award

Mark Alexander, aka "The Barbarian", was the Tigers' dominant closer in 2004. He had struggled through much of his time at Mizzou with consistency and resurrected his career from the "ashes" in his senior year with great success - and as one of the great characters of the game.

I was reminded of Al every time I watched Phil McCormick come into a game in the late innings. The crowd would perk up in anticipation, and the opposing batters would wince as they watched the first warm-up pitches.

Phil very nearly pitched himself off the team at one point, before he began toying with dropping his delivery lower. When he first tinkered with the new pitch, it was more side-arm, then dropped a little lower. At the beginning of 2010 it was obvious that during the off-season McCormick had studied and refined the craft of the submariner, because he now was staring in for the catchers sign from an already bent over double stance, and his motion seemed to be nearly dragging his knuckles in the dirt as he sent the wicked and wandering pitch somewhere in the vicinity of the strike zone.

Phil has been a joy to watch this season, and we're glad he stuck with the pitch and that the team stuck with him.

If you build it

Taylor Stadium underwent some renovations for the 2010 season. Actually, much of it was during the season.

On a sunny afternoon in late March, the construction crew decided the weather was perfect for pouring the concrete in the area of the new bleachers down the right field line. I'm guessing they didn't know about the game scheduled for 3:00.

They were only about a third of the way finished with the concrete pouring when the game started, and everyone was waiting to see what would happen when a foul ball headed that direction.

Which of course, it did. More than once. The photo above is borrowed from KMOV.com , where JJ Stankewitz was blogging live from the game.

In the end, there was a lot more to watch than just the foul balls plopping into wet cement. The Tiers beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 28-2, in a run-rule shortened game.


Event Staff Not-so Nazi

In recent years, some of the Event Staff have conducted their duties in a way that has given rise to the phrase "Event Staff Nazis" among the regular fans. We understand they have a job to do, but do they have to take the power trip so seriously?

In 2020, however, there seemed to be a change. There still was the occasional over-zealousness by the crew in grasshopper green. But overall, this was a kinder and gentler Event Staff. There was even one fellow, whose name I never got, who was quite friendly and jovial about his job, which I appreciated.

Trrip Note: I later found out the friendly Event Staffer's name when he was featured in the Columbia Missourian: Ron Lueck

Stand By Your Son Award

A tip of the cap to all the parents of all the players, who do so much to support their sons and to support the team.

But a special tip of the cap to Jim and Kathy Senne, who have attended an outstanding number of MU games, considering they live in Minnesota, and have not only supported their son for four years, but have been leaders among the Parents' group through those years.


And a final farewell to the Big 12 Player of the Year

As a send off to Mr. Senne, the Big 12 Player of the Year and a Louisville Slugger All American, let me rerun something from the 2007 version of the Tip of the Cap Awards, Aaron's freshman year:
"We taught him how to do that!"

One of the small highlights of the season for me was the weekend when Jim Senne introduced to me a young man who had driven all the way to Columbia from Rochester, MN to watch Aaron Senne play ball. Turns out this was one of Aaron's coaches along the way, in Legion ball (I did not catch his name).

As the team played Texas Tech that weekend, I was not sitting far from Aaron's old coach, who had claimed a front row seat for himself. At one point, when Aaron hit a long ball that he stretched into a double, the coach's face lit up like the 4th of July. He turned around to Aaron's dad and I could easily read his lips amid the crowd noise as he shouted, "We taught him to do that! You and I taught him to do that!"
I also came across a web page by an assistant coach on Aaron Senne's high school team.

A tip of the cap to Aaron Senne's Legion coach - and to all the coaches in Little League, High School, American Legion, summer leagues, and wherever they toil, patiently training young boys in how to play the game. And they do it simply for the love of the game, which is where the boys learn to love the game so much.


There have been better seasons for the Missouri Tigers, but this was a team that showed over and over again that they love to play the game. And here's a final tip of the cap from an old fan who loves to watch them love the game.

259 days and counting . . .