Ex-Bulls Hurler Strauss Goes To White Sox

Posted Jun 6, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 6, 2008 at 01:05 PM

Former Bloomingdale Bulls and current Florida State right-hander Ryan Strauss was selected in the ninth round (270th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in Friday’s MLB amateur draft.

Strauss, a senior, has posted a 9-1 record and a 4.58 ERA this season for the Seminoles, who play Wichita State in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series beginning tpday.

Strauss was the Tony Saladino Memorial Award recipient as a senior with Bloomingdale in 2004. The award is given annually to Hillsborough County’s top senior baseball player.

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Weber, Thomas Go In MLB Draft

Posted Jun 6, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 6, 2008 at 03:06 PM

Clearwater Central Catholic right-hander Ryan Weber and Middleton right-hander/infielder Corey Thomas were just selected in consecutive rounds of Friday’s Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Weber went in the 12th round (376 overall) to the Philadelphia Phillies, while Thomas went in the 13th round (386 overall) to the Baltimore Orioles.

Weber was one of Pinellas County’s most dominant pitchers in the past two seasons and led the Marauders to the Class 3A state title in 2007. He has enjoyed success at virtually ever level during his young career, including stints with the USA Youth and Junior National teams the last two summers.

Thomas has been one of Middleton’s top players in each of the last two seasons. He was a All-Western Conference first team selection as a senior after hitting .347 with five homers and 20 RBI.

Thomas said he’d heard he could be drafted much earlier, but added he didn’t get disappointed as the draft moved on and his name wasn’t called until Friday afternoon.

“I understood what I was dealing with. I heard things from people all the while, but I know nothing is ever concrete with this,” Thomas said. “It wasn’t disappointing. It was nerve-wracking.”

Thomas, who has signed with USF, didn’t hide his desire toward the possibility of bypassing college and turning pro.

“I’m strongly considering becoming a Baltimore Oriole because I know this opportunity doesn’t happen for a lot of people,” Thomas said. “I’ll sit down with them and see what they’re talking about.”

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Riverview’s Ferrara Selected By Cardinals in Seventh Round

Posted Jun 6, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 6, 2008 at 09:44 PM

Riverivew left-hander Anthony Ferrara was the first local player selected on Day 2 of the Major League Baseball amateur draft, going to the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round with the 215th overall pick.

Ferrara, who has signed with the University of South Florida, was rated the nation’s 189th best prospect by Baseball America. He went 4-4 with a 2.74 ERA as a senior with the Sharks, striking out 81 in 46 innings pitched.

“It was exciting. It was nerve-wracking because I had no clue [what was going on],” Ferrara said. “I’m just glad it’s over with.”

Ferrara said Friday that he’s leaning toward bypassing college and signing with the Cardinals.

“I want to sign. I’m probably going to sign,” Ferrara said. “We’ll have to see. My adviser is working on a deal.”

The 215th pick in last year’s draft received a $120,000 signing bonus, according to Baseball America.

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District 13 Little League Day 2

Posted Jun 6, 2008 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 6, 2008 at 01:02 AM

Pinecrest Little League’s Shawn Swartz hit a two-run home run and pitched five solid innings, allowing two runs, to lead his team to a 6-2 win against North Brandon on Thursday night in the major baseball bracket at the District 13 Little League Harold Garella Tournament of Champions.

Swartz hit his homer in the second inning, leading Pinecrest into the quarterfinals against East Bay National on Saturday. Joining them in the quarterfinals were South Brandon National, which beat Belmont Heights 4-1 and will play East Bay American, also on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Bloomingdale American beat East Point 13-0 in senior baseball, while South Brandon American beat Bloomingdale American 16-2 in junior baseball.

In junior softball, Bloomingdale beat East Point 17-2.

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Wrapping up the draft

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 10:17 PM

Now that my work for tomorrow’s Tribune is done, how ‘bout a brief wrap-up of today’s goings-on? Didn’t have a chance to get into details on the 2nd-6th round picks in the paper, but that’s part of what the ol’ Rays Report is here for.

The Rays were quite pleased to see Kyle Lobstein there when the second round began.

“I was ecstatic to be able to take this guy with the 47th pick, and the whole room was,” said R.J. Harrison. “We feel extremely fortunate to have this kid.”

Harrison, who lives in Arizona, knows Lobstein well and has been watching him for a few years.

“He’s got a major-league body, delivery and arm action,” said Harrison. “The stuff is good now and we think there’s more to come. He’s one of those young pitchers that we think’s really, really, really going to come and get better by leaps and bounds.”

As for the two college hitters the Rays selected, Jake Jefferies and Mike Sheridan, both are known for their strike-zone discipline.

“They both really have a history of that, but when you see them in person, too, they have that kind of swing,” said Harrison. “They cover the plate really well. ... They’re both guys that use the whole field and we think we put two really good college bats in the system.”

Ty Morrison, the outfielder they took in the fourth round, is a speedster with room to grow.

“Tall, lanky, broad-shouldered kid,” said Harrison. “He’s a well above-average runner, a lefty hitter, good instincts in center field, average arm. We really like his makeup as well and we think there’s a lot more to come with him.”

And finally Shane Dyer, another guy Harrison has seen plenty of in the Phoenix area:

“We think he’s a starting pitching prospect,” he said. “Good body, above-average curveball.”

There are 44 rounds to go tomorrow and Harrison said the Rays “absolutely” plan to use all 50 of their picks (many teams drop out with a few rounds to go).

That’s all from me tonight. Gotta go get my bag packed for a very early morning flight to Dallas to rejoin the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Rays.

We’ll talk to you from The Ballpark tomorrow.

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Sixth round: RHP Shane Dyer

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 09:03 PM

Well, apparently we’re going six rounds today instead of five.

In the sixth, the Rays took right-hander Shane Dyer from South Mountain Community College in Phoenix.

Here’s the rundown on him from a story today in his hometown paper in Colorado.

We’ve got a conference call scheduled with Friedman and Harrison at 9:30, so I’ll be back sometime after that with a wrapup of day one (not that anyone’s paying attention anymore considering the festivities at Fenway).

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Fifth round: 1B Mike Sheridan

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 08:12 PM

In the fifth round, the Rays took William & Mary first baseman Mike Sheridan.

Sheridan, a third-team All-American, hit .423 with 26 doubles, 15 homers and 72 RBIs for the Tribe this season. He’s a left-handed hitter originally from Washington, D.C.

As a sophomore last season, he was the toughest player in the nation to strike out, fanning just five times in 209 at-bats—the best ratio in the country since 1999.

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Fourth round: CF Ty Morrison

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 07:37 PM

With their fourth-round pick, the Rays went high school again, taking Tigard (Ore.) center fielder Ty Morrison.

He’s 179th on Baseball America’s list. Their basic scouting breakdown is that he’s a speed guy who needs plenty of polishing in other aspects of the game.

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Sickles’ Wilson First County Player Drafted

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 07:12 PM

Sickles outfielder Kenny Wilson was the first Hillsborough County high school player selected in the 2008 MLB amateur draft, going to the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round with the 63rd overall pick.

Wilson was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team selection this season after hitting .400, with eight doubles, two homers , 14 RBI, 37 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” Wilson said. “Growing up this has always been my dream. Ever since I was 2 years old I wanted to play professional baseball. Now, I’ve been given the opportunity to fulfill that dream, and I just feel so blessed and lucky to be given this opportunity.

“Getting that phone call was beautiful.”

Wilson, who picked up a scholarship offer from the University of Florida during his senior season and signed with the Gators during spring break, said “it’s all but a done deal” that he will forgo his college eligibility and sign with the Blue Jays. Wilson said Toronto officials asked if he will accept the slot money for his draft position and he told them he would. Wilson added the bonus is projected at $644,000.

“I never thought something this great could happen to me,” Wilson said.

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Third round: C Jake Jefferies

Posted Jun 5, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jun 5, 2008 at 07:12 PM

Leading off the third round, the Rays went catcher selecting Jake Jefferies of UC Davis. He’s a lefty swinger who’s only 20 years old.

Jefferies hit .387 with 20 doubles, four homers and 54 RBIs in 58 games for UC Davis this season, striking out only 11 times in 248 at-bats.

Baseball America rated him 133rd among its Top 200 prospects.

Here’s MLB.com’s scouting report:

“Not on the map to start the season, Jefferies has had a tremendous junior campaign and has been steadily moving up the ladder all year. A terrific contact hitter who almost never strikes out, he hasn’t shown much power. Defensively, he’s pretty good, though the arm is fringy. Whichever team sees more arm or more power in the future will likely be the one to take him.”

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