The top college sluggers all had good weekends while the top two college arms struggled for about the first time all year. However, there were some very good performances from the next tier of hurlers, and one simply amazing night for the favorite to go #1 in next year’s draft. Check it all out after the break.
Batters
Pedro Alvarez Vanderbilt 8-15, 2B (4), HR (3), 8 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB (1)—-.318/.464/.614 in 44 ABs
Gordon Beckham Georgia 4-8, 2 2B (11), HR (16), 4 R, 3 RBI, 6 BB—-starting to get pitched around
Buster Posey Florida St. 6-10, 3 2B (15), HR (10), 3 R, 3 RBI, 4 BB—–.469/.571/.862
Jemile Weeks Miami 7-13, 2B (11), 4 R, 4 RBI, SB (11)—-.403/.463/.723
Yonder Alonso Miami 4-12, 2 HR (8), 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB
Blake Tekotte Miami 9-15, 3B (3), 3 HR (6), 7 R, 9 RBI, 2 SB (16)—–quietly having fantastic year
Justin Smoak South Carolina 5-13, 2B (11), HR (10), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Reese Havens South Carolina 5-12, HR (11), 3 R, RBI, 4 BB
Ike Davis Arizona St. 8-15, 2 2B (20), 2 HR (14), 5 R, 10 RBI, SB (5)—–absolutely monster season; .423/.484/.876, 58 hits, 57 RBIs
Brett Wallace Arizona St. 6-16, 2B (7), 5 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB (10)
David Cooper Cal 6-13, 2B (9), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Pitchers
Aaron Crow Missouri 5 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 2 BB, 4 K——so much for the scoreless streak
Brian Matusz San Diego 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Lance Lynn Mississippi 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 12 K—–dominating performance
Shooter Hunt Tulane 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 K—–maddeningly inconsistent
Tanner Scheppers Fresno St. 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 K—–51.2 IP, 40 H, 18 BB, 76 K
Christian Friedrich E. Kentucky 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Tim Murphy UCLA 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K—–lefty could be moving into 1st round
Stephen Strasburg San Diego St. 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 23 K——not eligible this year, but WOW
Filed under: 2008 MLB draft
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Strasburg is legit. Played against him this summer and he pretty much dominated, especially in a wood bat league. He was the closer for Torrington in the NECBL and would work 93-96 FB, with an extremely tight SL. Wouldn’t even need his change-up. If I remember correctly, he started against Team USA and went 3 IP while striking out 7 of the 12 he faced. Didn’t allow a hit, only 2 BB.
Did you see the box score for that Mizzou game? (Here: http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2007-2008/mu_32.html) From what I heard there were 40mph winds blowing out - Jacob Priday hit 4 HR for MU and everyone’s favorite, Kyle Russell hit 2 for Texas. Tim Jamieson was interviewed after the game and he said he told his guys just to try and hit it in the air. I guess it worked since they scored 31 runs.
the thing that is so great about him is he has great stuff, but he also has great control. he has 73 strikeouts and only 8 walks in 50.1 innings this year. i watched him in his first start of the year against brian matusz, and he was the best pitcher on the field that night. pretty impressive.
What that Crow line doesn’t say is that he left the game with a TEN-run lead, and indeed got the win. For one of the more amazing box scores you’re going to see, check out:
http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2007-2008/mu_32.html
Apparently the wind was so strong that you could just about bunt for a HR.
A group of us from JC went up there. Absolute madness. We had 30 to 40 mph winds ripping through the area…brisk temps…we actually headed up there thinking there is no way they were going to play and already planning our alternative activities at Harpos.
Basically, anything hit in the air was an adventure. Pop ups that had the OF’s with their hands on hips waiting for their IF’s to catch them would carry out to them, resulting in mad scurrys and dives that missed by 5 feet. Texas particularly was having issues, as it looked like they had hit the Jaeger hard before hand the way they were stumbling around. Kids would end up on the ground and still miss balls by 10 feet.
Overall, this wasn’t the game to judge Crow. The wind was blowing so hard at times, he seemed to lose his balance in his windup. He seemed to get more accustomed to the weather as the game wore on, though. He still made Russell look bad on several appearances.
Jacob Priday had a game!!! 5 hits…4 dongs. I’ve liked this kid from the start…dude can flat out hit. Menacing stance…spit on the hands…stare you down mentality. He got one up in the wind that I’d wager went 470+ and might have hit the grey hanger. I’d say three of his shots would have left the yard without the wind, regardless. Hope some team takes a flyer on him, although his glove at 1B is not sparkling, as the number of DH games attest. Again, CRAZY game the likes of which I’ve never seen.
my man jemile has certainly boosted his stock after a so-so and injury marred 2007
Zagone with the “save” in that 31-12 game, that’s classic
yeah weeks is looking like a top 20 pick right now, and he might even be an option for the cards at 13. he is the third best middle infielder in the draft.