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Wake-Up Call: Take the money or the memories?

The Associated Press

Recent graduates like Mitchell High's Patrick Schuster will face a crucial decision once they're drafted.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 8, 2009

Updated: 06/08/2009 07:36 am

The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.

Good morning!

Decision time is nearing for the Tampa Bay area's top high school baseball players.

The 2009 First-Year Player Draft opens Tuesday night - yes, the first three rounds have become a prime-time television show on the MLB Network - but that's only the start of things.

Many elite players already have signed college scholarships. If the money is right, the temptation is great to jump immediately. If not, it's off to college and draft eligibility won't happen again until after the junior season if the player goes to a four-year school.

Plant High School pitcher/shortstop Mychal Givens, projected as a first-rounder in some circles, has signed with Oklahoma State University.

Mitchell High School left-hander Patrick Schuster, who became a national senstation after pitching four consecutive no-hittters, has signed with the University of Florida.

What's the best decision?

There simply isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

Different players, different situations.

That becomes obvious when examining the draft-day dynamics of four pitchers from the Rays.

J.P. Howell

The decision: Howell, who played at Carmichael (Calif.) Jesuit High School, was taken in the second round (52nd pick overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2001. But he didn't sign and took a scholarship to the University of Southern California (before transferring to Texas). In 2004, Howell signed after becoming a first-round supplemental pick (31st overall) of the Kansas City Royals.

Howell says: "It's a good problem to have, but when that moment comes, it's kind of tough. I decided to go to [college] because I felt like the money I got [offered] wasn't trading in for the experience. Once you get a number, stick to it, follow your heart. I didn't get the right number. So I went for three years of grinding, then let's do it again. I went from the second round to the first round. It worked out well. I could see where it would be hard for some kids to walk away."

Scott Kazmir

The decision: Kazmir, who played at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, made an oral commitment to attend the University of Texas. But he signed after the New York Mets made him the 15th overall selection of the 2002 draft.

Kazmir says: "There are moments when you think it might've been nice to play some college baseball. What would've happened? It's a tough decision, but you can't tell somebody just one thing to do. Bottom line, you make a decision and stay behind it 100 percent, never have any regrets. At that point in your life, you're just in awe of everything. You're a kid out there having fun and you don't know what to feel. You just know you want to play baseball. Then you get a taste of the business part of the game. In the end, you've got to follow your heart. Everybody has advice, but it's your life."

David Price

The decision: Price, who played at Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman High School, was taken in the 19th round of the 2004 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He didn't sign and accepted a scholarship to Vanderbilt University. Price became the most decorated player in college baseball during his junior season of 2007. The Rays made him the first overall pick of the 2007 draft.

Price says: "I think college is the key. It makes a huge difference. What you learn in college, you can't really learn anywhere else. You learn how to be a man in college. You mature so much. When I went to college, I was a thrower. When I left, I was a pitcher. Look, the minor leagues are tough. It's not fun with all the 10-hour bus rides, waking up and playing. High school kids aren't used to that. College gives you a nice head start. You can grow up and if you're a good player, you'll get drafted again."

James Shields

The decision: Shields, who played at Newhall (Calif.) Hart High School, had a scholarship to LSU. But he signed professionally after the Rays made him a 16th-round pick in the 2000 draft.

Shields says: "It was tough for me. I didn't know what to expect going into the draft, but my main goal growing up was to be a professional baseball player. The Rays gave me an opportunity and I took it. I always say just go with your heart. Whatever you feel is right. I don't think you should go with whatever your parents say or anybody else says. One thing my parents told me, 'This is your career and you can do whatever you want. We're going to support you 100 percent.' If a young kid is ready to go pro, he's ready to go pro. I was planning to go to LSU, but things changed. I still root for them, even to this day."

Is that you down there, Rays?

After holding the No. 1 overall selection the past two years - producing Price and high school shortstop Tim Beckham - the Rays have the 30th pick in Tuesday's draft.

Don't expect a quick fix. But don't rule out an impact player, either. Here are the five most notable players ever selected with the 30th pick since the baseball draft began in 1965:

Mike Schmidt, shortstop, Phillies, 1971: a Hall of Fame third basemen who hit 548 career home runs.

David Wells, left-handed pitcher, Blue Jays, 1982: had 239 career wins and pitched a perfect game.

Chris Sabo, third baseman, Reds, 1983: National League Rookie of the Year in 1988; three-time All-Star; batted .563 in the 1990 World Series.

Jerry Reuss, left-handed pitcher, Cardinals, 1967: had 220 career victories, mostly with the Pirates and Dodgers.

Travis Fryman, shortstop, Tigers, 1987: five-time All-Star; had 223 career home runs for Tigers and Indians.

Figgins tearing it up

Los Angeles Angels infielder Chone Figgins (Brandon), who went 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season in Sunday's 9-6 loss at Detroit, has hit safely in 22 of his last 24 games and has raised his batting average to a season-high .308. Figgins and the Angels visit the Rays for a three-game series beginning Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

Kotchman on the DL

Atlanta Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman (Seminole) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 1, with a strained right calf. He hasn't played since May 31, since he was hit by a pitch from Arizona's Max Scherzer. Kotchman is batting .277.

Ex-Ray report

Former Rays right-hander Edwin Jackson, who was traded to the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Matt Joyce during the offseason, had a complete-game 2-1 victory against the Angels on Saturday night. Jackson is 6-3 overall (5-1 with an 0.76 ERA in his last six starts).

Jackson struck out the side in the ninth inning, setting down the Angels' big guns consecutively - Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter - as his fastball hit 98 mph.

Dopirak goes deep

First baseman Brian Dopirak (Dunedin), who plays in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, had a solo homer in Sunday's 4-2 victory against Reading. Dopirak ranks second in homers (12) and RBIs (42) in the Eastern League.

Thomas picking it up

After weathering a 2-for-24 slump, second baseman Tony Thomas (Bloomingdale) of the Double-A Tennessee Smokies is 5-for-7 in his last two games, bringing his batting average up to .284.

Wade, Leftwich honored by Marshall

Former Bucs center John Wade, who now plays for the Oakland Raiders, was elected to Marshall University's Athletic Hall of Fame. New Bucs quarterback Byron Leftwich was previously elected.

Both players probably can't be formally inducted until after the conclusion of their NFL careers. The annual ceremony, mandatory for all inductees, is held the Friday prior to Marshall's home opener.

Wade was the center on Marshall's 1996 Division I-AA national championship team, which included former Florida quarterback Eric Kresser and wide receiver Randy Moss.

Hitting the books

Andrea Henricks, a graduating senior from All Saints' Academy in Winter Haven, was named Florida High School Athletic Association Female Scholar Athlete of the Year during a Thursday awards banquet in Orlando. Henricks lettered in swimming, soccer and track and field during all four years of her high-school career. She had a 4.67 weighted grade-point average and finished first in her graduating class of 52 students.

Henricks, who received $3,000 and a trophy, will attend Harvard University in the fall.

The FHSAA Male Scholar Athlete of the Year was Denver Barrows of Satellite High School.

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams, the team's first-round pick (and fourth selection overall) in 2007. Today, Adams turns 26.

The Answer Man

Here's the answer to Friday's trivia question:

The top three home-run hitters in Rays history are Aubrey Huff (128), Fred McGriff (99) and Carlos Pena (94).

Monday trivia

Here's our daily sports trivia question, featuring a Tampa Bay/Florida spin. Try your luck by commenting below.

Which of the Rays' first-round picks was the first to play in a major league game with Tampa Bay?

Check for the answer in Tuesday's Wake-Up Call.

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