Baseball
OSU's Swisher Heads Big Ten List of 2002 Draftees
By John Porentas
A total of 18 players from the Big Ten were taken in the 2002 baselball
draft. Three of them were Buckeyes.
Heading the list for the entire conference was OSU firstbaseman/outfielder
Nick Swisher. Swisher was the 16th pick overall by the Oakland
A's. Swisher was elated yesterday when he met with reporters.
"All that work, all those hours, and it pays off in one day,"
said Swisher. "I was at home in West Virginia when I got the
call. I don't think it has fully set in yet, but we were really excited
at home when they called. I was chest bumping with my dad and high
fiving with my grandma and grandpa. It was unbelievable," Swisher
said.
Swisher has not yet signed a contract but hopes to do so within the
week. As a first-round pick, he can expect to pick up a signing bonus
of between one and two million dollars.
"The money's nice," said Swisher, "but for me the
real excitement is the opportunity to move on and compete at the next
level."
 |
The O-Zone File Photo
Nick Swisher
(holding the runner at first) played both first base and outfield
for the Buckeyes, but will likely start his pro career in the
outfield. |
Swisher's father, Steve, was an all-star catcher with the Chicago
Cubs. Baseball is in his blood.
"My dad retired as a player by the time I was three, so I don't
remember him as a player," said Swisher. "I do remember
him as a minor league manager. When I was about six and he was managing
in Waterloo, Iowa, I decided right then that this is what I wanted
to do. This is a dream come true," Swisher said.
"The A's said they like me as a centerfielder. I can't wait
to get the negotiations over, sign, and get back on the playing field,"
he concluded.
OSU right fielder Doug Deeds was taken in the ninth round.
Deeds is a redshirt sophomore who has two years of eligibility left
at OSU. As a ninth rounder, Deeds has some deciding to do.
"I'm not totally sure yet if I'll sign," said Deeds. "I
want to talk to Coach Todd, but I think basically it will come down
to the money," Deeds said.
"When they called they said they liked my aggressiveness at
the plate," said Deeds. "They also said they like my swing,"
he added.
Deeds faces a tough decision. There is the possibility that he will
further develop his body in the weight room and his baseball skills
if he stays at OSU. That does not, however, necessarily translate
into a better draft position in a year or two. This year's draft is
being called the weakest in the last 20 years or so. Deeds could conceivably
improve his game considerably in two years and still not move up in
the draft if he comes out in a better year for position players. Further
complicating his decision is the fact that he was drafted by a team
that was talked about as a candidate for elimination when there was
talk of contraction in baseball.
"I want to decide by no later than this weekend," said
Deeds. "My finals are over on Tuesday, and the Twins asked me
if I could move as soon as Wednesday. Things are happening fast, so
I have to make the decision soon," he said.
Deeds does not yet have an agent and says he will not likely hire
one between now and the weekend.
OSU senior right-hander E.J. Laratta was taken in the 26th
round by the San Diego Padres. Laratta was excited about having a
chance to go to the next level.
"All I wanted was a chance," said Laratta. "It was
that way when I came to OSU. Nobody wanted me out of high school,
but I came here and I won. I think I can do that at the next level
too. I'm just happy to have the opportunity," Laratta said.
Laratta is not an overpowering pitcher. He relies on craftiness and
control for outs. He sees his pitching skills as more suited for pro
ball than the college game.
"I know the hitters are better, bigger and stronger, but they'll
be using wood bats," said Laratta. "College ball is probably
the toughest place to pitch because you have good hitters and they
are using aluminum bats. At the next level they'll be using wood,
and the way I pitch, that should help my game tremendously,"
he said.
After a senior season that had its ups and downs, Laratta is grateful
for an opportunity.
"I just want a chance to prove I can win there like I did here,"
he said. "The draft is funny. All it takes is for one guy to
like you. The guy that scouted me said he has liked me all along.
I guess I'm lucky in that respect," he said.
Like Swisher and Deeds, Laratta will most likely be asked to report
within days of concluding his finals. That will not, he said, deter
him from graduating from OSU.
"I still need about two quarters, but that is a goal that I'm
defintitely going to make," said Laratta. "I will definitely
graduate from OSU," he said.
One player not drafted that perhaps has a free-agent future is Buckeye
catcher Joe Wilkins. Wilkins was very solid defensively this
season, hit over .300 and showed occasional power. Wilkins was named
the MVP of the Big Ten tournament.
A total of 18 Big Ten players were taken in the draft, 11 of them
taken on the first day. Michigan State had the most drafted with four
(two on the first day). Ohio State was second with three players drafted.
No other school had more than two. Below is a complete list of Big
Ten players drafted.
1st Round
Nick Swisher - OSU - to the A's
Chadd Blasko - Purdue - to the Cubs (Compensation A)
3rd Round
Kennard Jones - Indiana - to the Padres
4th Round
Rich Hill - Michigan - to the Cubs
Bob Malek - MSU - to the Mets
9th Round
Doug Deeds - OSU - to the Twins
11th Round
Patrick Arliss - Illinois - to the Marlins
14th Round
Gabe Ribas - Northwestern - to the Padres
16th Round
Jared Koutnik - MSU - to the Yankees
19th Round
Bobby Korecky - Michigan - to the Phillies
20th Round
Jason Kennedy - Minnesota - to the Tigers
21st Round
Eric Blakeley - Indiana - to the Mariners
22nd Round
Nick Bates - MSU - to the Royals
26th Round
E.J. Larratta - OSU - to the Padres
28th Round
Andy Dickinson - Illinois - to the A's
31st Round
Justin Nash - PSU - to the Orioles
Chris McQuistin - MSU - to the Tigers
33rd Round
Mike Watson - PSU - to the Rockies
34th Round
Brady Burrill - MSU - to the Mariners