Miami Transfer

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Well look what the Hurricane blew in!

Heartland is getting a quality pitcher.




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Grundy is a stud, do you know the reason why he transferred? I heard it was to heavy on the checkbooks

I don't know the exact reason, but one idea could be he wants a quicker route to pro ball. He can get drafted after next spring depending on the season he has and then sign with whatever team selects him.

All of the reasons suggested above seem viable, however, can someone explain why he left the team while they were still going strong in the regular season and heading into the playoffs?

I am surprised he did not transfer to a JC in FLA. Its one of the most drafted regions in the country. JC ball in Florida is much better than 50% of D1's in the country.

Heartland started the season ranked second in the country. The are presently fourth. Having a tough time puttimng away defending national champs Parkland in the regional final. Parkland had one loss in the double elim championship, Heartland zero losses. Parkland had to beat Heartland twice. Halfway there and lead in top of the eigth by a run currently (rain suspended game).

With Razo from IVC coming back, Heartland will continue to have a two excellent starters.

FYI: Going to a top JUCO from D1 is not that rare. Parkland three hitter is TJ McManus who started at Ohio State when he left GBS.

I think Parkland just beat Heartland to take the regional.

TJ is a fine young man and a fantastic hitter. Sure remember him when he was with the Glenview Blaze and his Dad ran a very good program there for many years.

Judging from the scores of the two Parkland games, Heartland needs to get as much pitching as they possibly can. But then again, who doesn't?

quote:

Originally posted by VinceFar:
I am surprised he did not transfer to a JC in FLA. Its one of the most drafted regions in the country. JC ball in Florida is much better than 50% of D1's in the country.

That's quite an exaggeration. According to draft statistics, JC's account for less than 5% of all players drafted. Limit that to Florida and we're in the less than 1% category. Then to state that they are better than 50% of the D1's?

They play good JC baseball in Florida, why don't we leave it at that.

quote:

I am surprised he did not transfer to a JC in FLA. Its one of the most drafted regions in the country. JC ball in Florida is much better than 50% of D1's in the country.

You should have seen the one that got away...

CPLZ

Ask any MLB scout who has years of experience where he spends his time scouting. They will tell you exactly what I had said. I am involved with a JC Program here in Florida and we have many D1 teams from up north come play us and we beat them. We also every year play farm teams and beat them as well, not all the time, but if we play two games, we'll split. Region 8 is Florida, and it is one of the most drafted areas, whether it be JC, high school,D1, D2 or guys who are originally from Region 8.

If your going to tell me that one of my most personal friends and former coach who coached in the yankees organization and was the director of scouting for the yankees with 4 world series rings is wrong about the D1/JC/Region 8 thing, your out of your mind.

What NCAA D1 team from anywhere played any JC in a real game during the spring season?

MLB scouts spend their time scouting in the area assigned to them.

vince, what Jc program are you with in florida?

Yes, you are right, not in the spring season, in the fall, its considered a "scrimmage" with umpires. Check the rules, D1 or D2 teams can play JC's in the spring but never do. In the fall, some schools will choose to play. Maybe they do not do this in Illinois, in other areas of the country they do. The fall is a 50 game schedule with a mix of other JC programs, pro teams and some D1's or D2's.

And I am not just talking about area guys cause you are right, area guys only scout a designated area. I am talking about the descision makers, the cross checkers and the scouting supervisors. Those are the guys who make decisions. Area guys submit reports on players that need to be seen by cross checkers and supervisors. If you are a MLB team and do not draft well in Florida, you've had a bad draft year.

I don't understand why it would matter what state the JUCO is in, in terms of particulars.

Heartland has built themselves into a program that routinely gets commitments from D-1 talented players. This year alone, I think Coach Metzger is sending off 6-7 players to D-1 programs. They had a lot of talent on the team last year from what I recall and this past spring as well.

No reason why they won't be good next year either, and the players are getting a good amount of exposure. Aguilera, Huff, and Martin all might get drafted in a couple of weeks.

Grundy is a fantastic pickup for Heartland, and he will have his options following his one season there I'm sure.

I was going to say to Vince that Grundy is already well connected. He has no concerns there.

My whole reason to comment on this post was it raised an eyebrow to see a kid from U of Miami transfer to a JC up north. Generally speaking, players from Miami, FIU, FAU, Barry or Nova transfer to schools like Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. Some of them end up getting drafted or some of them end up tranferring to schools in the Sunshine State Conference or other D1's in the southeast.

Take for instance Austin Wood.

Transferred from FSU to St. Petersburg College because FSU didnt give him to much of a chance after toying with his mechanics. He went to St Pete, consistanlty threw 92-97 and will go Top 3 rounds this year. He had a fabulous year.

It's just different to see a kid go to a JC up north from Miami or a powerhouse college in Florida when some of the best competition in the country is right in the backyard.

quote:

Originally posted by VinceFar:
CPLZ

... your out of your mind.

quote:

Originally posted by VinceFar:
JC ball in Florida is much better than 50% of D1's in the country.

I'll argue that statement, win it, and no, I'm not out of my mind. Your statement that JC ball in FL is MUCH better than 50% of the D1's is ludicrous. It's not better, let alone much better.

The midline for D1's is RPI #152, George Mason. As a random sample, 180, Wright State, 206 Richmond,243 Dayton. If you think that Florida JC's are MUCH better than those teams, check yourself into rehab, because you got a hold of some bad stuff to smoke.

I know how college fall ball works at the D1 level. To think that FL JC's would dominate 50% of D1 teams based on what you see from fall ball results, means that you either don't really know what you're talking about, or you're ignoring the fact that most D1's use the fall to look at new players in order to support your argument.

Florida JC's are not even a little better than 50% of the D1's, it's not close.

Say that to any scouting director or college coach in Florida. I would love to hear their opinion.

Your saying that a former National Director of Scouting is wrong. I think he may have more experience in the game than you(if you have any profesional, collegiate playing experience or MLB scouting experience at all) If you haven't personally experienced this as a player, I don't think you have any justification with your response.

Once again, your saying that a man with 4 world series rings with the yankees, coached in the yankees organization, 2 National Champioships at University of Florida, 2 National Championships at Florida Southern, former coach at Arizona State, former coach of Miami Dade college and drafted in the top three rounds twice is wrong.

Who do you think the more credible source is??

And BTW, the professional teams that JC's play in Florida are in the spring.

I would like to see George Mason or Wright State handle that.

VinceFar:

Aside from your arguments with the others regarding this topic, I think there may be a basic answer to your question, which by no means should raise your eyebrows.

Yes, Grundy went to Miami this past spring, but he's from the far Northwest Suburbs here in Illinois. Heartland Community College is a mere 2-3 hour drive from his home.

Location could have been vital in his JUCO decision — and it's as simple as that.

ball4life, do you think those 3 will be drafted? Where are you getting that info from?

quote:

Originally posted by VinceFar:
And BTW, the professional teams that JC's play in Florida are in the spring.

I would like to see George Mason or Wright State handle that.

I think they'd both fair pretty well. George Mason had 5 players drafted last year and Wright State, which you'd know if you followed college baseball at all, is a very solid team that leads the Horizon League and has several draftable players including a stud pitcher named Kaminsky who will go fairly high. How many FL JUCO's have 5 players drafted in a single year from a single team?

Let's take an example I know fairly well, Army, RPI 157. All four starters 91 to 94 mph (stalker gun), all career ERA's under 4. They also have two in the bullpen 90-93. How many FL juco's go six deep in the 90's? And yes, Army's whole rotation will most likely be drafted...including the two in the bullpen. How many FL juco's have their whole rotation drafted?

It seems a reach to scoff at my opinions because of a second hand conversation you've had with someone you want to spout credentials for (please, we don't need to see them again). You obviously looked down your nose at those two teams without really knowing anything about them, just assuming that they were in the lower half of D1 and had to be MUCH worse than Florida JUCO teams. Again, your opinion is exaggerated, overstated and ludicrous.

quote:

Originally posted by Ball4Life:
VinceFar:

Aside from your arguments with the others regarding this topic, I think there may be a basic answer to your question, which by no means should raise your eyebrows.

Yes, Grundy went to Miami this past spring, but he's from the far Northwest Suburbs here in Illinois. Heartland Community College is a mere 2-3 hour drive from his home.

Location could have been vital in his JUCO decision — and it's as simple as that.

This still doesn't explain why he left the team before the season ended. I hope that he is healthy.

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:

And yes, Army's whole rotation will most likely be drafted...including the two in the bullpen.

Question CPLZ...

Being that these kids are in an Academy, them being drafted only means they were drafted and must continue their schooling and 6yr obligation afterwards, correct?

I simply ask because I'm not sure and I've always wondered how this worked.

2bagger:

I think there is a good chance. Aguilera has put up big numbers the last two years and is a viable outfielder. I can see him going in the first 25 rounds. Huff is very fast and stole around 50 bases this spring, good defensively at shortstop. Both players have verbals to Illinois State, but could spur the Redbirds depending on where they are selected. I see Huff going in the ladder half of the draft, rounds 25-50. For Martin, who played his freshman year at D-1 Ohio, he will benefit more from playing two more years of college ball at Valpo, where he'll be next year. Like Huff, he is also fast, but his chances of getting drafted this year are slim.

I have seen all these guys play this spring, and when they were younger, so I'd like to say I have a pretty good idea. More specifically, I've heard from around Normal that Aguilera and Huff have been watched heavily this past spring.

My son plays at Heartland and I saw most of teh games. I assume the kids that are drafted stand way above their peers. Aguilera fits the bill. He squares it up and crushes it consistently. He has a plus arm.

The player they talk about going relatively high is Dillon Napoleon who went 11-0. Pitchers Razo and Weaver also have the velocity to be drafted as well.

Grundy does not have health issues.

bballdad,

Have watched a couple of the ones you mentioned for quites some time now. Was suprised to see you mention them going this year is all. As far as Jared I don't think anyone mentioned him being hurt at least I hope not as that is not the case at all.

CPLZ

Like I said before, I doubt you have any high level playing experience. You can read all the stats you want but until you experience it, you don't know what its all about.

Second hand conversation??

Thats funny, I actually played for him and he actually helped me when I SIGNED, most likely something you've never done.

And thats also funny cause I am involved with a college program now IN FLORIDA.

Im done with this conversation, I respect your opinion but I just don't agree with you being able to make a judgement with out experiencing it first hand like I have and many others.

Have a fun and safe memorial day weekend(CPLZ) and same to everyoe else!!

The problem here is that Vince Far could be BSing everyone. He could be a young kid just out of a small college who has never signed a pro contract. Maybe SIGNING is something HE has never done. It would be nice to see what Vince has experienced first hand seeing that experience is so important to him. How about it Vince how much experience do you have?

quote:

Originally posted by VinceFar:
CPLZ
Im done with this conversation, I respect your opinion but I just don't agree with you being able to make a judgement with out experiencing it first hand like I have and many others.

Vince,
Yes, you were relating something someone else said to you, that is the very definition of second hand. I don't care if you're his player, his son or married to him, it's still a second hand piece of information. Something someone else said, and you passed it along...second hand.

Just like many things in life, there is no golden ability granted by being in proximity to something. You played, that means you can play, nothing else. Doesn't mean you can coach, talent evaluate, motivate, or any other attribute.

It is somewhat apparent from your comments that your total knowledge of the college game as a whole is quite limited in scope. Your comments about Florida Juco's dominance seem very provincial and lacking objectivity.

Bottomline is if the kid stayed at a JUCO in FL and put up solid numbers while lighting up the guns (numbers don't really mean squat, but they do show that you are having success) he'd get drafted higher than if he transfers back to an IL JUCO.

quote:

Originally posted by Slidepiece:
Bottomline is if the kid stayed at a JUCO in FL and put up solid numbers while lighting up the guns (numbers don't really mean squat, but they do show that you are having success) he'd get drafted higher than if he transfers back to an IL JUCO.

Why is that?

Tone it down Vince, who really cares?

Honestly? Who cares about someone else's opinion and what some guy may or may not thing.

I believe that Webber International beat Ohio State this year, do you think NAIA bal in FL is better than D-1? Another NAIA beat Oklahoma last year (who may be punching a ticket to Omaha tonight) should we then assume they are better?

It's baseball, things happen on any given day.

Move on.

Grundy's arm seams fine. I've seen him throw 2 games on my son's summer team. Watching the scouts guns he was 90-92 mph. His change up is also pretty impressive. Someone said he had to leave early to start summer school so that he can get the 60 hours he needs to be eligible to go back to a D1 school? Apparently the new NCAA rules require an assoc. degree to transfer back to a D1. No word on why he left Miami.

Thank you FVC Fan. That makes all the sense in the world then.

quote:

Originally posted by Brickhouse:
Thank you FVC Fan. That makes all the sense in the world then.

Definitely clarifies things. Also nice to see the scout are already at some summer games! Too bad he left Miami, but Heartland gets a boost on their pitching staff next season. They should have a good team again.

Heartland was at Judson last weekend, saw Grundy pitch 2 innings. Word is that he has been sitting 91-92 and topped out at 94mph. Someone said that he committed to Kentucky.

Thanks for the update fvc, glad he is doing well. Guess leaving that summer team didn't hurt him one bit either.