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Princely Price Continues To Impress From Pen

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2008

Updated: 10/24/2008 01:46 am

ST. PETERSBURG - The Vandy Kid is coming of age on the biggest stage in baseball.

Twenty-three-year old David Price began spring training as a top prospect in a Rays' farm system stockpiled with high-end talent. Less than a year after being the first overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Vanderbilt University, Price has graduated from the pack of potentials to a front-line phenom.

After whizzing his way through the Rays' minor-league system compiling a 12-1 record in 109 innings, the 6-foot-6 southpaw is now mowing down postseason hitters at a rate that has vaulted him from the back end of a top-notch Tampa Bay bullpen to the forefront of the Rays' postseason run.

"A lot of people think because he's a rookie he shouldn't be out there, but he's got the biggest heart I know," center fielder B.J. Upton said of Price.

Price splashed onto the national scene Sunday night, picking up the save in the Game 7 victory against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, recording the final four outs of the ALCS' deciding game. Thursday, he was back on the mound ensuring Tampa Bay picked up its first World Series victory, recording the final seven outs to preserve a 4-2 victory and even the series at a game apiece.

"He's been unbelievable, he's just amazing," catcher Dioner Navarro said. "He is definitely going to help the whole team as the Series goes on."

Even though he didn't get credit for a save in the victory against the Phillies, he gets accolades for ensuring the door slammed shut on a Philadelphia comeback as he became the quickest overall top pick to appear in a World Series game.

Though Price is a starter by trade, he has been thrust into a key role out of the bullpen in the postseason. After entering the game in the seventh with a 4-0 lead, Price struck out Ryan Howard with two runners on and then retired Howard again on a groundball in the ninth as the potential tying run.

"He's changed it a lot," Navarro said of Price's role in the bullpen. "He's going to come in and throw strikes and get hitters out."

Price admitted to feeling jitters in his first World Series appearance.

"I usually don't even sweat out there and my hat looks like I went swimming with it," Price said.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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