11/29/96 - The Minnesota Twins signed two more six-year minor league free agents and invited both to big league camp next spring. They are righthander Scott Rose, who went 4-4, 2.91 with 10 saves for Triple-A Edmonton in the Athletics organization; and utility infielder and former MSU Bulldog Jon Shave, who hit .266-7-41 for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Rangers organization. Source: Baseball America
11/24/96 - Look for MSU to sign a total of 15 players during the early signing period. Of those 15, at least 5 or 6 will get drafted.
11/22/96 - Looks like MSU is having another banner recruiting year. So far, we have signed ten players. Look for five of those players to have an immediate impact next year: Josh West, 6-1 180, Pitcher (90-92 MPH fastball) from Hamilton, MS; Jason Burkley, 6-2 200, INF/C from Nicholasville, KY; Roy Oswalt, 6-1 190, Pitcher from Holmes CC; Aaron Capista, 6-2 175, INF from Shorewood, IL; and last but surely not least, Ryan Carroll, 6-6 219, Pitcher from Picayune, MS.
11/02/96 - Here's a nice article about Gary Rath that was in the latest issue of Baseball America.
LOS ANGELES--Gary Rath heard the horror stories about pitching in Albuquerque Sports Stadium and tried to convince himself he would be the exception. After leading the Texas League and Dodgers minor leaguers in wins in 1995, who could blame him?
.....But after struggling to start the season, Rath, a 6-2 lefthander, put the altitude and fantasy of a sterling ERA out of his mind.
....."Everybody wants to be 20-0 with a 0.00 ERA, but that's not going to happen in the Pacific Coast League," said Rath, who led the team in wins while going 10-11 with a respectable 4.19 ERA in 180 innings. "After a while, I learned that I just had to use my fastball, throw it low and play the game.
....."It's a tough league and a tough home park to pitch in. You don't have too many pitchers go there and have career years."
.....Now Rath, 23, is enjoying the offseason--one of the first chances he's had to catch his breath since the Dodgers made him their second-round pick in the 1994 draft out of Mississippi State University.
.....Dodgers farm director Charlie Blaney said the organization is pleased with Rath's progress. In 1995, his first full season, Rath won 13 games for Double-A San Antonio and three at Albuquerque.
....."I think he has gotten over the hump," Blaney said. "It's tough to go from a pitcher's park in San Antonio to a park in Albuquerque that is very similar to what our major league pitchers face in Coloardo. And that's one of the reasons Albuquerque is a good experience. We like the fact that they have to go through that."
.....Rath knows the road to the major leagues goes through Albuquerque, but he's not sure when Dodger Stadium will be in his future.
....."With the top five in L.A. doing what they're doing, what are you going to do?" Rath said. "Nobody got hurt and nobody pitched bad this past season. You just have to keep working and stay focused on what you have to do."
Please contact me at swindoll@ebicom.net if you have any Miss State baseball info you would like to share. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.