Anyone have any new news on the future of the TCL? Uncle Ethan -- call or PM me if you see this -- my interest should be obvious.
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PD,
Thanks for asking about the TCL. The TCL is in good shape following a successful summer in 2008. While there were only four teams, the competition was strong - Justin Murray of the East Texas Pumpjacks and K-State was drafted, pitched 5 weeks in the TCL, signed and finished his summer in AA with the Midland Rockhounds - and the teams all had some outstanding players. My son played for the Coppell Copperheads and they played their first game at Brazos Valley Ballpark in College Station. He called me after the game (he is a JUCO player who is accustomed to playing in front of about 50 people)and said they had 1300 fans at the game. He said, "Dad, I struck out in my second AB and as I was walking back to the dugout, this drunk guy leans over from the party deck and said 'You suck, stud boy!' It was AWESOME." Although it got a bit monotonous during the middle of the season, he had a great experience.
It is my understanding that all four teams finished the season well and will be back in 2009. In addition, there are active discussions going on with 5-7 groups/cities about adding a team in the next one to two years. You should probably expect there to be 6 or 7 teams playing in 2009 and another couple added in 2010. Depending on the location of the new teams, the league could go back to a two division league as early as 2009. The model franchises for the league from a business standpoint are East Texas and Brazos Valley. They both averaged around 800 fans while playing in old time minor league parks where beer was sold. I would strongly encourage any player who is interested in playing in the TCL in 2009 to contact the team that they are most interested in playing for as soon as possible. Rosters are filling up quickly.
Thanks again for asking.
PD, you have a PM
Thanks for asking about the TCL. The TCL is in good shape following a successful summer in 2008. While there were only four teams, the competition was strong - Justin Murray of the East Texas Pumpjacks and K-State was drafted, pitched 5 weeks in the TCL, signed and finished his summer in AA with the Midland Rockhounds - and the teams all had some outstanding players. My son played for the Coppell Copperheads and they played their first game at Brazos Valley Ballpark in College Station. He called me after the game (he is a JUCO player who is accustomed to playing in front of about 50 people)and said they had 1300 fans at the game. He said, "Dad, I struck out in my second AB and as I was walking back to the dugout, this drunk guy leans over from the party deck and said 'You suck, stud boy!' It was AWESOME." Although it got a bit monotonous during the middle of the season, he had a great experience.
It is my understanding that all four teams finished the season well and will be back in 2009. In addition, there are active discussions going on with 5-7 groups/cities about adding a team in the next one to two years. You should probably expect there to be 6 or 7 teams playing in 2009 and another couple added in 2010. Depending on the location of the new teams, the league could go back to a two division league as early as 2009. The model franchises for the league from a business standpoint are East Texas and Brazos Valley. They both averaged around 800 fans while playing in old time minor league parks where beer was sold. I would strongly encourage any player who is interested in playing in the TCL in 2009 to contact the team that they are most interested in playing for as soon as possible. Rosters are filling up quickly.
Thanks again for asking.
PD, you have a PM
'You suck, stud boy!' It was AWESOME."
Priceless, UE! LOL
Priceless, UE! LOL
Many players were disappointed with this summer. Playing the same teams over and over again was mentioned alot. By not announcing new teams before now (if there will be any) I guess that players that are from this area or may not have any other options will be playing next summer.
My son played in Virgina this summer was asked by players and coaches what happened to the TCL. Looks like the bloom is off the rose.
Unfortunate for this area. Hopefully it will survive and add new teams soon.
My son played in Virgina this summer was asked by players and coaches what happened to the TCL. Looks like the bloom is off the rose.
Unfortunate for this area. Hopefully it will survive and add new teams soon.
It's a shame the TCL has ended up in this position. I know there has been talk of expansion, but I would be real interested to see if it actually happens. Just a littly FYI...there's a 100k "franchise fee" to start a team. In my opinion, that's a pretty steep price to pay for a struggling 4 team league.
Either way, it would be nice to see someone put together a good college league in the metroplex.
Either way, it would be nice to see someone put together a good college league in the metroplex.
How about the DBAT Mustangs organization putting together a league and or team. Just a thought.
quote:Originally posted by Danny Boydston:
How about the DBAT Mustangs organization putting together a league and or team. Just a thought.
I'm sure this will spark some INTERESTING conversation!
MSL - Metro Scout League
MCL - Metro Collegiate League
Hmmm, has a ring to it.
MCL - Metro Collegiate League
Hmmm, has a ring to it.
Danny, you know too much 
.....
.....
Things were not all great in the TCL. I to heard that most of the players were very tired of playing the same teams over and over. I have also heard from several players that after a summer in the TCL, they will be looking to play somewhere else.
From my talks with other summer ball fans, it appears that many people do not think very highly of the TCL.
From my talks with other summer ball fans, it appears that many people do not think very highly of the TCL.
The TCL was a very good league before this past year. But it was extremely hard for any team to make any money or at the very least break even. Unless I'm mistaken I think every team lost money.
The young men were treated very well, very nice transportation to the games, fed after the games, etc. Very good competition. Believe at that time it was ranked as the 3rd best summer collegiate league in the country.
But with the expenses they were experiencing something had to give. I was thinking it was something like a $300,000 buy in, with another $25,000-$30,000 per year ---- all paid to the league. They still had to foot all of their own bills for uni's, transportation, etc. The owners had to have deep pockets, or else their hands in someone else's pockets.
Catcher may be able to provide more insight on the structure at that time if he so chooses.
The young men were treated very well, very nice transportation to the games, fed after the games, etc. Very good competition. Believe at that time it was ranked as the 3rd best summer collegiate league in the country.
But with the expenses they were experiencing something had to give. I was thinking it was something like a $300,000 buy in, with another $25,000-$30,000 per year ---- all paid to the league. They still had to foot all of their own bills for uni's, transportation, etc. The owners had to have deep pockets, or else their hands in someone else's pockets.
Catcher may be able to provide more insight on the structure at that time if he so chooses.
quote:Originally posted by catcher:
Danny, you know too much
Sorry catch!
If I'm a college player, the last place I'd chose to play summer baseball would be Texas.
100 degrees in the shade regards,
100 degrees in the shade regards,
well said Ken.
quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
If I'm a college player, the last place I'd chose to play summer baseball would be Texas.
100 degrees in the shade regards,
Yes Ken, that was a well thought, outstanding example of what a sixteen year education can do for you.
Seriously, I don't think a 7:00pm start time on a June or July Summer night would be that bad.
The big boys do it all the time, remember.
Heck, football players have two-a-days in that stuff.
quote:Originally posted by Danny Boydston:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
If I'm a college player, the last place I'd chose to play summer baseball would be Texas.
100 degrees in the shade regards,
Yes Ken, that was a well thought, outstanding example of what a sixteen year education can do for you.
Seriously, I don't think a 7:00pm start time on a June or July Summer night would be that bad.
The big boys do it all the time, remember.
Heck, football players have two-a-days in that stuff.
I have to agree with you. I have attended several games in the TCL-BRAZOS VALLEY, East Texas PumpJack, Coppell Copperheads, Mckinney Marshals, and the Plano Blue Sox. 7:00 p, start times in those venues have always been very comfortable and entertaining.
My understanding is that they will expand next summer from any where from 8-12 teams.
.
All I'm saying is, If I was a college player and had the chance to play in...
- Cape Cod League
- Alaska League
- Northwoods League
It would be an easy decision for me.
- Cape Cod League
- Alaska League
- Northwoods League
It would be an easy decision for me.
I think Cade, Catcher, Sam, SWAC and others would find a way to keep local talent here. Just my less than sixteen year education humble opinion! 
quote:Originally posted by Danny Boydston:
I think Cade, Catcher, Sam, SWAC and others would find a way to keep local talent here. Just my less than sixteen year education humble opinion!
Wouldn't have a chance against those leagues.
As proven with the TCL of present.
4 team league regards,
I highly suggest to anyone to visite a Northwoods League, Coastal Plain League or Cape Cod League game. Compared to those leagues, the TCL is like a single A club to those leagues.
It was okay. In McKinney, we had great fans and awesome host families. 7:00 p.m. start times in those bleachers - never broke a sweat. It definitely wasn't as fun as the year before. No all-star game. A lot of traveling. But...it's gonna get back to the way it was - give it a year. There was a kid drafted off our team as well.
We were a host family for the McKinney Marshals in 2005 and it was a fun summer....we are heading to Florida in November to attend the wedding of the young man we hosted.
I hope they are able to put together a solid league for future summers, it is a great concept if they can make it work.
I hope they are able to put together a solid league for future summers, it is a great concept if they can make it work.
Oldest stepson played for the Weatherford Wranglers for two seasons and enjoyed it; he did not like all the long bus rides. The league will not survive until they come up with a sucessful business plan that puts butts in seats. From what I heard the ones that sold beer made money and the ones that didn't lost money. Weatherford had a beautiful complex and lost a fortune.
A couple things the TCL would have to do to survive.
1. Get out of the Metroplex
2. Sell Beer
3. Attract more players from outside Texas. Word on the street is that players from Northern schools aren't excited to come to play ball in Texas in the summer.
4. Figure out how to make the summers about 15 degrees cooler.
1. Get out of the Metroplex
2. Sell Beer
3. Attract more players from outside Texas. Word on the street is that players from Northern schools aren't excited to come to play ball in Texas in the summer.
4. Figure out how to make the summers about 15 degrees cooler.
316sports,
What is your beef with the TCL? For someone who is, "Just a big baseball fan" you sure seem intent on trashing something in your own backyard. Just out of curiosity, did you actually attend any TCL games this past summer? I know that glhamda attended a couple of games so he can actually speak from first-hand experience, but how about you? In fact, did you happen to call anyone associated with the TCL before you came on here implying that the league was about to fold? I suspect not.
Nowhere in my post did I say that the TCL was better than the Northwoods League nor the Cape Cod League. It is clearly not. The intent of my post was to assure Panther Dad that there would be a TCL next summer and that the competition would be pretty good. If it is big crowds you are looking for (and many D1 coaches send their players to the CICL and Northwoods for that very reason) then the TCL will never be the place to be. However, if a player from Texas or a Texas school wants to play good competition close to home or close to his college campus so that he can take summer school classes (as was the case with Dustin Dickerson of Baylor), then the TCL is a good option.
As for your four points:
1. Get out of the Metroplex
I covered this in my very first post about East Texas and Brazos Valley
2. Sell Beer
See item #1 (Coppell is the only team that doesn't sell beer-you would know that if you attended a game)
3. Attract more players from outside Texas. Word on the street is that players from Northern schools aren't excited to come to play ball in Texas in the summer.
Who cares if players from the North come? Fans come out to see players from the name schools like UT, TAMU, Rice, Baylor, etc... Besides, based on the College World Series, it is clear that the best players are in the South, California, and Florida - right Gut?
4. Figure out how to make the summers about 15 degrees cooler.
Not going to happen, but I would agree with Long_Live_Baseball that 7:00 starts are not that bad, particularly in Kilgore and College Station where there is shade at the old ballparks. Of course, you would know that if you had actually attended a game there.
Finally, here is Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects from the TCL this past summer. Let's watch and see how they do this season. It is a pretty talented group of players. You might already recognize some guys on this list as being D1 weekend starters, all conference performers, or even freshmen All Americans. This list doesn't include Kansas State's Justin Murray, who finished the summer at AA with Midland.
1. Del Howell, lhp, McKinney (So., Alabama)
A two-way player, Howell spent most of his freshman year at Alabama as a DH and threw just 24 innings over his first two seasons. He went to the TCL with an eye toward increasing his workload and refining his stuff, and he succeeded admirably, going 2-2, 2.41 with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 34 innings. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound lefty has a closer's mentality and pitched much better out of the bullpen than he did as a starter, though he made great strides improving his third pitch—a changeup. Howell's low-90s fastball reaches 93-94 and has good movement. His out pitch was a vicious slider that he can bury down and in against righthanded hitters or get lefties to chase low and away.
2. Luke Burnett, rhp, East Texas (SIGNED: Mariners)
Burnett's imposing 6-foot-8, 260-pound physique and mid-to-upper-90s fastball helped him rank as the No. 8 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer, and he earned second-team preseason All-America honors heading into his junior year at Louisiana Tech. But his stuff and command deserted him during a nightmarish spring, and he went 0-4, 8.41 with 30 strikeouts and 32 walks in 41 innings. Some of his struggles can be chalked up to tendinitis, so he took six weeks off and then slowly worked his way back to health this summer, going 0-1, 3.07 with a 21-8 strikeout-walk ratio in 15 innings of relief. He still hasn't regained his old velocity but did run his fastball up to 93-94 at times for East Texas, though the pitch is rather flat for someone of Burnett's size. He needs to do a better job pitching down in the strike zone with his fastball, but he does a better job commanding his split-finger, which is his second pitch. His slider was very inconsistent this summer, occasionally showing a workable one but other times showing little action on the pitch. The Mariners saw enough from Burnett to sign him for a $200,000 bonus as a 14th-round pick at the end of the summer, and that may end up as a major steal.
3. Jimmy Nelson, rhp, McKinney (So., Alabama)
A power pitcher with an imposing 6-foot-6, 210-pound build, Nelson made huge strides from the spring, when he went 3-3, 6.26 with a 37-29 K-BB ratio in 42 innings, mostly in relief. His control was an issue in the spring and he remained wild at the start of the summer, but he was able to throw all his pitches for strikes by summer's end. Nelson gets ahead in the count with his 88-92 mph fastball, then uses his hard slider with good tilt to get strikeouts (he racked up 66 of them in 49 innings this summer, to go along with a 3-2, 2.55 mark and 23 walks). He maintains his arm speed on his changeup, but the pitch is still a work in progress. His release point sometimes varies, causing him to leave pitches up in the zone, and he needs to do a better job commanding the inner half of the plate, because he lives on the outside corner right now. Nelson has significant upside and could step into Alabama's weekend rotation as a sophomore.
4. Dustin Dickerson, 1b, Brazos Valley (Jr., Baylor)
Dickerson was the premier power hitter in Baylor's No. 1 ranked 2006 recruiting class, but he's hit just seven homers in two full seasons as a starter for the Bears. He took classes during the week this summer and only played for Brazos Valley on weekends, but he looked decent in the 51 at-bats he garnered, hitting .314/.339/.412. Dickerson's 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame hints at huge power yet to be unlocked. Opposing managers raved about his mature offensive approach and good lefthanded swing. He's also a solid defender at first base.
5. Todd Cunningham, of, Brazos Valley (So., Jacksonville State)
Cunningham stepped right into a starting role as a freshman for Jacksonville State and shined as a leadoff man, batting .340 with a 40-31 BB-K ratio and six steals in seven attempts. He followed with a strong summer, hitting .310/.402/.387 with a 16-12 BB-K ratio and 12 steals in 15 tries. The 6-foot, 200-pound switch-hitter embraces his table-setting role: He's a patient hitter who gets on base any way he can and causes havoc with his excellent speed. Cunningham has below-average power but can poke balls into the gaps now and then and uses all fields. Like most young switch-hitters, he's a better hitter from the left side than the right. Cunningham is also a terrific defender in center field with a strong arm.
6. Myrio Richard, of, McKinney (Jr., Prairie View A&M)
With a strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Richard was the TCL's premier athlete in 2008. His power/speed package was on full display this spring, when he hit .370 with 10 homers and 15 stolen bases for Prairie View, and he fared similarly well with a wood bat this summer, hitting .283/.393/.507 with six homers and 21 steals in 23 tries. The player of the year in both the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the TCL this year, Richard is a natural center fielder who was athletic enough to fill in at third base and first to fill injury voids this spring. Richard's power and speed are both average or better tools, and he has a knack for putting the bat on the ball, but he's a dead pull hitter who needs to refine his offensive approach. He could be a good center fielder with time, but his routes and baseball instincts are suspect. Richard's older brother Michael starred for Prairie View and spent this year at low Class A Kane COunty, and Myrio has even more upside if he can put it all together.
7. Mike Bolsinger, rhp, McKinney (So., Arkansas)
Bolsinger helped pitch Coppell to its first TCL title in 2007 following his freshman year at Grayson County (Texas) CC, but the McKinney native pitched for his hometown team in 2008, going 2-2, 2.80 with 56 strikeouts and 20 walks in 45 innings to capture TCL pitcher of the year honors. He also had a good strikeout rate in a relief role this spring for Arkansas, whiffing 39 in 31 innings. Bolsinger pitches in and out with a heavy 88-91 mph sinker. His out pitch is a tight downer curveball, and he worked on developing his changeup this summer, but the pitch lacks action currently. He has a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame but needs to improve his endurance and competitiveness.
8. Aaron Wilkerson, rhp, East Texas (So., Panola JC, Texas)
Wilkerson dominated as a closer for Panola as a freshman, going 3-2, 1.86 with 12 saves and a 67-23 K-BB ratio in 63 innings. His summer was nearly a carbon copy of his spring, as he went 4-2, 1.96 with a 31-11 K-BB ratio in 23 innings of relief. Wilkerson has a slow delivery that makes the ball seem to explode out of his hand from an over-the-top angle. That makes his 88-91 mph fastball play up, and he runs it up to 92-93 on occasion. Lean and projectable at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Wilkerson could add velocity as he fills out his frame and does a better job incorporating his lower half into his delivery. He complements his fastball with a good overhand curveball in the 67-68 range that freezes hitters used to his much harder fastball. He dabbles with a changeup, but it is little more than a show pitch right now.
9. Riley Boening, lhp, Coppell (R-Jr., Texas)
Boening missed all of 2007 with an arm injury and struggled as a redshirt sophomore in 2008, going 3-1, 6.34 in 44 innings. He was much better this summer, going 2-1, 2.17 with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 innings. His velocity was back up into the 88-91 range this summer, touching 92. He flashes a good curveball now and then but needs to get more consistent with the pitch. His changeup is effective against righthanded hitters. Boening has a good pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, and he gets high marks for his tenacity on the mound.
10. Travis Sample, 3b/of/dh, Coppell (Jr., Arkansas)
Sample hit .505 and smashed 19 homers and 21 doubles for Howard (Texas) JC this spring, earning NJCAA all-America honors. He was a late arrival in the TCL but made his presence felt in 49 at-bats, hitting .367/.377/.673 with three homers, six doubles and 19 RBIs. His power bat is his best tool, and two separate TCL managers said he reminded them of Albert Pujols, because he has a similar stance. The righthanded-hitting Sample has huge pull power and feasts on fastballs but is susceptible to breaking balls away. He mostly DHed this summer and his defense is an unknown commodity.
What is your beef with the TCL? For someone who is, "Just a big baseball fan" you sure seem intent on trashing something in your own backyard. Just out of curiosity, did you actually attend any TCL games this past summer? I know that glhamda attended a couple of games so he can actually speak from first-hand experience, but how about you? In fact, did you happen to call anyone associated with the TCL before you came on here implying that the league was about to fold? I suspect not.
Nowhere in my post did I say that the TCL was better than the Northwoods League nor the Cape Cod League. It is clearly not. The intent of my post was to assure Panther Dad that there would be a TCL next summer and that the competition would be pretty good. If it is big crowds you are looking for (and many D1 coaches send their players to the CICL and Northwoods for that very reason) then the TCL will never be the place to be. However, if a player from Texas or a Texas school wants to play good competition close to home or close to his college campus so that he can take summer school classes (as was the case with Dustin Dickerson of Baylor), then the TCL is a good option.
As for your four points:
1. Get out of the Metroplex
I covered this in my very first post about East Texas and Brazos Valley
2. Sell Beer
See item #1 (Coppell is the only team that doesn't sell beer-you would know that if you attended a game)
3. Attract more players from outside Texas. Word on the street is that players from Northern schools aren't excited to come to play ball in Texas in the summer.
Who cares if players from the North come? Fans come out to see players from the name schools like UT, TAMU, Rice, Baylor, etc... Besides, based on the College World Series, it is clear that the best players are in the South, California, and Florida - right Gut?
4. Figure out how to make the summers about 15 degrees cooler.
Not going to happen, but I would agree with Long_Live_Baseball that 7:00 starts are not that bad, particularly in Kilgore and College Station where there is shade at the old ballparks. Of course, you would know that if you had actually attended a game there.
Finally, here is Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects from the TCL this past summer. Let's watch and see how they do this season. It is a pretty talented group of players. You might already recognize some guys on this list as being D1 weekend starters, all conference performers, or even freshmen All Americans. This list doesn't include Kansas State's Justin Murray, who finished the summer at AA with Midland.
1. Del Howell, lhp, McKinney (So., Alabama)
A two-way player, Howell spent most of his freshman year at Alabama as a DH and threw just 24 innings over his first two seasons. He went to the TCL with an eye toward increasing his workload and refining his stuff, and he succeeded admirably, going 2-2, 2.41 with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 34 innings. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound lefty has a closer's mentality and pitched much better out of the bullpen than he did as a starter, though he made great strides improving his third pitch—a changeup. Howell's low-90s fastball reaches 93-94 and has good movement. His out pitch was a vicious slider that he can bury down and in against righthanded hitters or get lefties to chase low and away.
2. Luke Burnett, rhp, East Texas (SIGNED: Mariners)
Burnett's imposing 6-foot-8, 260-pound physique and mid-to-upper-90s fastball helped him rank as the No. 8 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer, and he earned second-team preseason All-America honors heading into his junior year at Louisiana Tech. But his stuff and command deserted him during a nightmarish spring, and he went 0-4, 8.41 with 30 strikeouts and 32 walks in 41 innings. Some of his struggles can be chalked up to tendinitis, so he took six weeks off and then slowly worked his way back to health this summer, going 0-1, 3.07 with a 21-8 strikeout-walk ratio in 15 innings of relief. He still hasn't regained his old velocity but did run his fastball up to 93-94 at times for East Texas, though the pitch is rather flat for someone of Burnett's size. He needs to do a better job pitching down in the strike zone with his fastball, but he does a better job commanding his split-finger, which is his second pitch. His slider was very inconsistent this summer, occasionally showing a workable one but other times showing little action on the pitch. The Mariners saw enough from Burnett to sign him for a $200,000 bonus as a 14th-round pick at the end of the summer, and that may end up as a major steal.
3. Jimmy Nelson, rhp, McKinney (So., Alabama)
A power pitcher with an imposing 6-foot-6, 210-pound build, Nelson made huge strides from the spring, when he went 3-3, 6.26 with a 37-29 K-BB ratio in 42 innings, mostly in relief. His control was an issue in the spring and he remained wild at the start of the summer, but he was able to throw all his pitches for strikes by summer's end. Nelson gets ahead in the count with his 88-92 mph fastball, then uses his hard slider with good tilt to get strikeouts (he racked up 66 of them in 49 innings this summer, to go along with a 3-2, 2.55 mark and 23 walks). He maintains his arm speed on his changeup, but the pitch is still a work in progress. His release point sometimes varies, causing him to leave pitches up in the zone, and he needs to do a better job commanding the inner half of the plate, because he lives on the outside corner right now. Nelson has significant upside and could step into Alabama's weekend rotation as a sophomore.
4. Dustin Dickerson, 1b, Brazos Valley (Jr., Baylor)
Dickerson was the premier power hitter in Baylor's No. 1 ranked 2006 recruiting class, but he's hit just seven homers in two full seasons as a starter for the Bears. He took classes during the week this summer and only played for Brazos Valley on weekends, but he looked decent in the 51 at-bats he garnered, hitting .314/.339/.412. Dickerson's 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame hints at huge power yet to be unlocked. Opposing managers raved about his mature offensive approach and good lefthanded swing. He's also a solid defender at first base.
5. Todd Cunningham, of, Brazos Valley (So., Jacksonville State)
Cunningham stepped right into a starting role as a freshman for Jacksonville State and shined as a leadoff man, batting .340 with a 40-31 BB-K ratio and six steals in seven attempts. He followed with a strong summer, hitting .310/.402/.387 with a 16-12 BB-K ratio and 12 steals in 15 tries. The 6-foot, 200-pound switch-hitter embraces his table-setting role: He's a patient hitter who gets on base any way he can and causes havoc with his excellent speed. Cunningham has below-average power but can poke balls into the gaps now and then and uses all fields. Like most young switch-hitters, he's a better hitter from the left side than the right. Cunningham is also a terrific defender in center field with a strong arm.
6. Myrio Richard, of, McKinney (Jr., Prairie View A&M)
With a strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Richard was the TCL's premier athlete in 2008. His power/speed package was on full display this spring, when he hit .370 with 10 homers and 15 stolen bases for Prairie View, and he fared similarly well with a wood bat this summer, hitting .283/.393/.507 with six homers and 21 steals in 23 tries. The player of the year in both the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the TCL this year, Richard is a natural center fielder who was athletic enough to fill in at third base and first to fill injury voids this spring. Richard's power and speed are both average or better tools, and he has a knack for putting the bat on the ball, but he's a dead pull hitter who needs to refine his offensive approach. He could be a good center fielder with time, but his routes and baseball instincts are suspect. Richard's older brother Michael starred for Prairie View and spent this year at low Class A Kane COunty, and Myrio has even more upside if he can put it all together.
7. Mike Bolsinger, rhp, McKinney (So., Arkansas)
Bolsinger helped pitch Coppell to its first TCL title in 2007 following his freshman year at Grayson County (Texas) CC, but the McKinney native pitched for his hometown team in 2008, going 2-2, 2.80 with 56 strikeouts and 20 walks in 45 innings to capture TCL pitcher of the year honors. He also had a good strikeout rate in a relief role this spring for Arkansas, whiffing 39 in 31 innings. Bolsinger pitches in and out with a heavy 88-91 mph sinker. His out pitch is a tight downer curveball, and he worked on developing his changeup this summer, but the pitch lacks action currently. He has a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame but needs to improve his endurance and competitiveness.
8. Aaron Wilkerson, rhp, East Texas (So., Panola JC, Texas)
Wilkerson dominated as a closer for Panola as a freshman, going 3-2, 1.86 with 12 saves and a 67-23 K-BB ratio in 63 innings. His summer was nearly a carbon copy of his spring, as he went 4-2, 1.96 with a 31-11 K-BB ratio in 23 innings of relief. Wilkerson has a slow delivery that makes the ball seem to explode out of his hand from an over-the-top angle. That makes his 88-91 mph fastball play up, and he runs it up to 92-93 on occasion. Lean and projectable at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Wilkerson could add velocity as he fills out his frame and does a better job incorporating his lower half into his delivery. He complements his fastball with a good overhand curveball in the 67-68 range that freezes hitters used to his much harder fastball. He dabbles with a changeup, but it is little more than a show pitch right now.
9. Riley Boening, lhp, Coppell (R-Jr., Texas)
Boening missed all of 2007 with an arm injury and struggled as a redshirt sophomore in 2008, going 3-1, 6.34 in 44 innings. He was much better this summer, going 2-1, 2.17 with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 innings. His velocity was back up into the 88-91 range this summer, touching 92. He flashes a good curveball now and then but needs to get more consistent with the pitch. His changeup is effective against righthanded hitters. Boening has a good pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, and he gets high marks for his tenacity on the mound.
10. Travis Sample, 3b/of/dh, Coppell (Jr., Arkansas)
Sample hit .505 and smashed 19 homers and 21 doubles for Howard (Texas) JC this spring, earning NJCAA all-America honors. He was a late arrival in the TCL but made his presence felt in 49 at-bats, hitting .367/.377/.673 with three homers, six doubles and 19 RBIs. His power bat is his best tool, and two separate TCL managers said he reminded them of Albert Pujols, because he has a similar stance. The righthanded-hitting Sample has huge pull power and feasts on fastballs but is susceptible to breaking balls away. He mostly DHed this summer and his defense is an unknown commodity.
Oh wise one, you got me. I must admit that I did not attend a game in Brazos this year. The
drive from Denton is just a little to far to watch mediocre baseball.
Since you know absolutely nothing about me, I will tell you that we had season tickets to the Denton Outlaws. We would have renewed them, except the league decided to shut Denton and several other owners out.
It shouldn't have been to hard to spot a slightly balding, 6 foot 2 man at games this past summer, considering no team in the TCL draws well. I am sure that you were at every game. According to you, since I live here in N. Texas I have to support local teams? Well, I disagree. Do you have a monetary stake in the TCL? Don't I have a right to my opinion?
I do have a little expierence with summer ball, seeing that I played up north for 2 of my 3 years playing college baseball. I would have played in the CICL my junior year, except for the fact that Uncle Sam decided to call up my unit when we helped out the Balkans.
I am very familiar with the 10 prospects you included, all you did was waste bandwith. Have a nice day....
Andrew
drive from Denton is just a little to far to watch mediocre baseball.
Since you know absolutely nothing about me, I will tell you that we had season tickets to the Denton Outlaws. We would have renewed them, except the league decided to shut Denton and several other owners out.
It shouldn't have been to hard to spot a slightly balding, 6 foot 2 man at games this past summer, considering no team in the TCL draws well. I am sure that you were at every game. According to you, since I live here in N. Texas I have to support local teams? Well, I disagree. Do you have a monetary stake in the TCL? Don't I have a right to my opinion?
I do have a little expierence with summer ball, seeing that I played up north for 2 of my 3 years playing college baseball. I would have played in the CICL my junior year, except for the fact that Uncle Sam decided to call up my unit when we helped out the Balkans.
I am very familiar with the 10 prospects you included, all you did was waste bandwith. Have a nice day....
Andrew
From my perspective, 316sports site is a good source of information regarding the collegiate leagues. For our family, the viability of the TCL is important -- and it's not really about playing in front of large crowds or playing in the Texas heat (he's done that for 10 years). For me, it's not about drinking beer. PS 3 is looking for a situation where he can contiunue to develop as a 2-way player. Since he pitches and plays a position, a few fewer games may actually be a good thing for him. Concerning travel -- it is certainly no worse in the TCL than in Northwoods. I know there are several very strong collegiate leagues. In some cases, the colleges try to accomodate the kids' desires. My son's preference for his sophomore summer may be the TCL....with appropriate plans B and C. There are great players and strong competition in all the summer leagues.
UE -- I appreciate your feedback -- and I will call you soon.
316 -- I respect your opinions as well.
UE -- I appreciate your feedback -- and I will call you soon.
316 -- I respect your opinions as well.
quote:Originally posted by Uncle Ethan:
Who cares if players from the North come? Fans come out to see players from the name schools like UT, TAMU, Rice, Baylor, etc... Besides, based on the College World Series, it is clear that the best players are in the South, California, and Florida - right Gut?
Don't ask me, I'm just a parent of a 2 1/2 year old son.
I don't know a thing and I visit this board to hopefully gain enough knowledge to prepare him for any opportunity that might be out there for him.