San Benito has talent at all corners this season, and the
players are getting noticed
HOLLISTER
As Michael Luna sees it, making the leap from high school baseball to the college level and beyond only takes one person, one school or one pro scout, although the lack of numbers involved with the decision making should not discount the process itself.
Figuring out whether a player has the stuff to compete at the next level — that’s the easy part.
Trying to stand out from a group of thousands of potential ball players, all of whom have similar goals? Well, that’s more of a special case.
Sometimes, statistics can only take you so far.
“They keep track of guys as freshmen and as sophomores, and which kids have the potential showing off their skills at different showcases,” said Luna, manager of the San Benito High baseball team, whose Balers will compete at the 18th Annual Easter Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., this week.
“You only have to have one school or one pro scout really like you,” the manager added.
Despite an easier-said-than-done statement, Luna is fully aware of the rare dedication that is put in by players who reach the next level. While coaching Leigh High in San Jose, the Baler skipper helped coach a pair of prospects in Jason Windsor and Josh Kruezer, each of whom would eventually be drafted by Major League Baseball teams.
Whether the baseball talent is good enough for a two-year college, a four-year college, or even a pick in the MLB Draft straight out of high school, Luna said recruiters and scouts have somewhat differing points of view when it comes to gauging talent. But they are all searching for development and potential.
“They try to project where the kid will be in two or three years,” said Luna, who has nearly a full team of potential next-level players on San Benito this season.
Now it’s just about finding that one school or one pro scout to seal the deal.
Luna said four of his players have had a number of looks from a number of different four-year colleges, while four others have a handful of junior colleges on their tail.
One potential Division I prospect, senior catcher Spencer Brann, is also getting looks from pro scouts with talk of him being drafted out of high school.
“Besides pitching, catching is the quickest way to get into the major leagues because it’s such a demanding position,” Luna said.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Brann stands out on physical size alone, while his estimated 400-foot homer in April 2009 turned even more heads — among other things, Brann played for the Colorado Rockies scout team last year.
The added attention coming from the stands hasn’t affected Brann on the field, though.
“It’s not really a big deal … just go out there and play your game,” Brann said.
The Baler catcher isn’t unlike any of his teammates who want to compete at the next level; There is a preference as to which team they want to compete with, but ultimately, simply continuing to play is the overlying goal.
“It’s kind of a lifestyle you choose,” Brann said. “A lot of these guys out here went through Little League. If we weren’t playing baseball, then it’d be difficult. It’s just kind of the lifestyle we’ve had.”
Junior hurler Darin Gillies opted for the offseason over basketball season in the winter in order to further his development. The 6-foot-4 righty is another Division I prospect, receiving looks from several Pac-10 schools, and used the winter months to hit the weight room.
“It’s pretty hard, but you just have to work hard every day and put in all the extra work,” said Gillies, who tossed a no-hitter against Alisal his freshman year.
The junior pitcher is already 3-1 on the season with 38 strikeouts over 24 innings pitched for San Benito (6-0 TCAL, 8-2), and he even boasts a save. Gillies also recently threw a complete game one-hitter against Palma on March 27, and allowed no hits through five innings of work against Valley Christian in the season opener, but was pulled after Luna kept him to a pitch count of 65.
“You’ve got to go on your runs, gotta do your weight workouts, and you’ve just got to keep working hard every single day in the classroom and on the field,” said Gillies, who Luna added was throwing consistently in the high 80s, and has even touched 90 miles per hour on the radar gun a couple times.
Meanwhile, teammate and fellow pitcher Bryan Granger is routinely throwing in the mid-80s, while touching speeds in the high-80s from time to time as well. The junior righty is 2-1 on the early season with 24 strikeouts, and is another Haybaler gaining interest from four-year schools.
“I think it sets the ease for you because you know there are other scouts looking at other guys, too,” Granger said. “You’ve just got to play your best, play hard.”
Shortstop Ricky Garcia is another potential college prospect. Luna said the senior is very athletic, skillful and versatile, but at 5-foot-7, might not have the size of a college shortstop.
Good thing Garcia could easily switch to either second base or center field.
“Right now, whatever gets me there,” Garcia said. “I’d like to play shortstop or second base, but I’ve heard center field is also maybe an option for me.
“It’s been a little bit harder to get noticed since I’m not that tall, but since I do have quick feet and a pretty good arm, it’s kind of making up for it.”
When it comes to colleges, Luna said he’s asked two questions all the time, and they revolve around grades and makeup. Grades tell whether the player can get into a particular school, and whether they will be able to stay there, while makeup speaks of the player’s mental and physical toughness.
Colleges will also recruit by need, and while strong pitchers are always in short order, if a team needs a middle infielder, they will seek out a middle infielder.
The dream doesn’t always end at the high school level, though. Prep players moving on to the junior college level have just as good a chance, if not better, of making the most of their baseball talent. Even Luna’s former player at Leigh, Josh Kruezer, attended West Valley College prior to being drafted.
The San Benito manager said Nick Acosta, Isaak Ramos, Trevor Fabing and Mark Hurley are receiving looks from two-year schools as well, and why not? The four players figure into the top three for the Balers in hits, multi-game hits, doubles and RBIs already this season.
Now it’s just about finding that one person, one school or one pro scout who fits their needs.
“You’ve just got to play hard and they’ll recognize you, they’ll follow you,” Hurley said. “If you play hard, they’ll notice that.”
The Balers will be on display for plenty of scouts this week when they will travel to Las Vegas, Nev., for an exclusive 20-team tournament.
“But you never know who’s watching,” Hurley added. “Hopefully, someone sees you.”
