Potential No. 1 Pick Price Taking Nothing For Granted
Published: Jun 7, 2007
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ST. PETERSBURG - He's the guy at the top of the dugout steps, hollering at the top of his lungs, sprinting out to the plate to celebrate every run, pounding a Vanderbilt teammate's helmet, bouncing with joy when joy fills the air.
That's David Price on days he doesn't pitch; competitive to the point it bubbles over, an ace pitcher who morphs into head cheerleader.
When Devil Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison and area scout Brad Matthews went to dinner last month with the 21-year-old junior left-hander, the gastronomical options were major-league caliber.
Price chose a family steak joint over a fancy restaurant.
He's that guy, too; simple tastes, grounded interests, buffet meat-and-potatoes rather than a maitre d' and five-star steak tartar.
And there was this, the thing that truly made him the odds-on favorite to be chosen today by the Rays with the No. 1 overall selection in baseball's first-year player draft: 194 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings for the Southeastern Conference champion Commodores.
"We just think that he has everything that we're looking for in a front-line, major-league starter," Harrison said. "He's big, he's strong, he's athletic, he's left-handed. He has two 'plus' pitches, and we believe … the change-up is not far behind. … He commands his fastball well. He competes. His character is unquestioned by those people that have been around him. He's a good, top prospect."
Driven To Be No. 1
How good? In addition to the preponderance of strikeouts (he fanned 17 in nine innings in what was his final collegiate start Friday in the NCAA Tournament), Price went 11-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts), allowing only 31 walks (2.1 per nine innings).
His final appearance of the season - a rare relief outing Monday against Michigan - gave him his only loss when he allowed a home run for only the third time this year. That ended the season for the No. 1-ranked Commodores, allowing Price to turn his full attention to today's life-changing draft.
What got him to this point, the character trait that motivated him as he progressed in three years from a 19th-round pick out of Blackman High in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to consensus favorite to become Tampa Bay's third No. 1 overall pick, was an innate competitive drive.
"When you do something, you always want to be the best," Price said. "Bottom line. Playing video games, baseball, dominoes. You never want to lose. You never want to be second, or third for that matter. You want to be No. 1 in everything you do. That's my mind-set, whether it's school, baseball, video games. It doesn't really matter to me, I always want to win."
Price also said he takes nothing for granted when it comes to his potential draft position. Nonetheless, his adviser, Nashville, Tenn.-based Bo McKinnis (the agent for 2001 Rays first-round pick Dewon Brazelton), is gearing up for a negotiation with the Rays.
Unlike some No. 1 overall picks who expect the world and expect it now, Price is mindful of the potentially long and hazardous road through the minor leagues.
"I may be facing some professional hitters right now, but they're going to be professional hitters for six or seven years," Price said. "The strides they are going to make in the next four or five years [are] going to make them completely different hitters than they are right now. Being able to pitch in the major leagues, you really have to have something about you."
Rays Invested In Price
The Rays didn't announce beforehand that Price would be the pick ahead of the other two players under consideration, Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California high school infielder Josh Vitters.
But the work the Rays have put into scouting Price is a good indication of the organization's thinking. Harrison said the Rays scouted every one of Price's starts this season and came away unworried about his work load, his health, his talent or his character.
Still, a scintilla of a chance remains that the Rays could go in a different direction if they decide the risk inherent to acquiring any pitcher outweighs the potential reward.
"Any time you trade for a pitcher, sign a pitcher through the free-agent market, draft a pitcher, there's some risk that goes along with it," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "With the way this guy works and the way he's conditioned, we haven't seen those red flags. But with a pitcher in general, they're riskier than a position player."
Reporter Carter Gaddis can be reached at (813) 259-8291 or igaddis@tampatrib.com.
RAYS' TOP PICKS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
| Year | Name | Pos. | Comment |
| 1996 | Paul Wilder | OF | Injuries forced him out of baseball |
| 1997 | Jason Standridge | RHP | On injured reserve with Triple-A Omaha (Royals) |
| 1998 | Josh Pressley | 1B | Fourth-rounder now in independent Atlantic League |
| 1999 | Josh Hamilton | OF | After extensive drug problems, now in majors with Reds |
| 2000 | Rocco Baldelli | OF | Injuries have begun to define his promising career |
| 2001 | Dewon Brazelton | RHP | Trying to resurrect career in Pirates organization |
| 2002 | B.J. Upton | IF | Thriving at 2B after error-filled minor-league career at SS |
| 2003 | Delmon Young | OF | At age 21, his potential is boundless |
| 2004 | Jeff Niemann | RHP | On the verge of majors with Triple-A Durham |
| 2005 | Wade Townsend | RHP | Started over in Single-A after Tommy John surgery |
| 2006 | Evan Longoria | 3B | On the fast track to join Rays, perhaps by late 2008 |
Carter Gaddis
FROM THE COLLEGE RANKS
State college baseball players who could be selected in the first-year player draft:
FLORIDA
| Player | Pos. | Yr. | Comment |
| Bryan Augenstein | RHP | Jr. | 6-5, 225-pounder stayed consistent even when Gators didn't |
| Matt LaPorta | 1B | Sr. | Recovered from injury-plagued 2006 to hit .402 with 20 HRs; likely first-rounder |
| Brian Leclerc | OF | Sr. | Former Northside Christian star batted .313 as a senior |
FLORIDA STATE
| Mark Hallberg | SS | Jr. | Took over as starting shortstop and played good defense while hitting .360 |
| Bryan Henry | RHP | Sr. | ACC Pitcher of the Year went 14-0 with 2.50 ERA before losing two postseason starts |
| Michael Hyde | RHP | Sr. | FSU's No. 2 starter went 10-2 with 3.35 ERA, won opening regional game |
| Brandon Reichert | 1B | Sr. | Hit .311; knack for coming through in the clutch key to 51 RBIs, fourth on team |
| Jack Rye | OF | Jr. | FSU's best pure power hitter finished season hitting .371 with 10 homers, 61 RBIs |
| Ryan Strauss | RHP | Jr. | Bloomingdale High product finished 10-3 with 3.40 ERA; played OF as a sophomore |
| Tony Thomas Jr. | 2B | Jr. | Louisville Slugger National Player of the Year hit .442 and stole 30 bases in regular season |
MIAMI
| Enrique Garcia | RHP | Jr. | 6-foot-4 power pitcher led team in strikeouts with 80 |
| Danny Gil | RHP | Sr. | 183 career strikeouts in 190 2/3 innings |
| Scott Maine | LHP | Jr. | Was 23rd-round pick last year and 15th-rounder out of high school |
| Manny Miguelez | LHP | Jr. | Struggled this season with 5.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP |
| Richard O'Brien | C | Sr. | Came on late with six homers in last 17 games |
| Roger Tomas | SS | Sr. | Four-year starter hit .337 this year with 11 stolen bases |
SOUTH FLORIDA
| Chris Delaney | RHP | Jr. | Sickles graduate emerged late in season and tied for team lead with nine wins |
| Walter Diaz | SS | Jr. | Miami transfer hit .339 in first year at USF, highlighted by 24-game hitting streak |
| Danny Otero | RHP | Sr. | Workhorse on USF's staff; led Bulls with 122 innings pitched and 87 strikeouts |
| Daniel Thomas | RHP | Jr. | Gaither graduate was 2-1 with 1.27 ERA in five starts before season-ending shoulder injury |
TAMPA
| Jonathan Holt | RHP | Jr. | 79 Ks, four BBs in 66 IP; Coach Joe Urso believes he'll go in top 5 rounds |
| Scott Leffler | RHP | Sr. | Held opponents to .167 batting average; mid-90s fastball, but suspect control |
| Roberto Mena | SS | Sr. | 14 HRs, 65 RBIs; tremendous upside despite 22 errors |
| Craig Corrado | Util. | Sr. | .420, 10 HRs, 15 SBs; scouts taking notice of athleticism |
| Ryan Kennedy | 2B | Sr. | .641 slugging, .976 fielding; solid defender may get picked late |
2007 DRAFT
WHAT: First-year player draft
WHEN: Today-Friday
TV: Today, 2-6 p.m., ESPN2
ONLINE: Go to TBO.com, keyword: Rays for our draft preview, including prospect profiles, the draft order and past picks.
ON THE RADAR
Five players the Rays have considered, in order of preference:
David Price
SCHOOL: Vanderbilt
POS.: LHP HT./WT.: 6-5/215
BIRTH DATE: Aug. 26, 1985
COMMENT: The consensus pick as the top pitcher in the country ended his distinguished career Monday with his first loss of the season, allowing a late home run in his first relief outing as the top-ranked Commodores were eliminated from their NCAA regional. That didn't matter to the Rays; he is still the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 overall with his combination of 95-mph fastball, nasty slider and developing change-up.
Matt Wieters
SCHOOL: Georgia Tech
POS.: C HT./WT.: 6-5/230
BIRTH DATE: May 21, 1986
COMMENT: The only reason the switch-hitter (and part-time closer!) wouldn't go No. 2 overall is the potential that adviser Scott Boras could try to break the bank with his contract demands. Then again, why wouldn't he ask for the sky? Switch-hitting catchers with long-term middle-of-the-order potential don't grow on trees.
Josh Vitters
SCHOOL: Cypress (Calif.) High
POS.: 3B HT./WT.: 6-3/195
BIRTH DATE: Aug. 27, 1989
COMMENT: His size, above-average tools and high school track record make him the top prep prospect in the draft. His bat makes him a potential Evan Longoria-type, with more potential power.
Rick Porcello
SCHOOL: Seton Hall (N.J.) Prep
POS.: RHP HT./WT.: 6-5/188
BIRTH DATE: Dec. 27, 1988
COMMENT: Already in possession of a mid-90s fastball, Porcello can grow into his body and become a legitimate ace prospect. He also has the makings of a fine curveball, slider and change-up and projects as a top-of-the-order starter in the majors.
Mike Moustakas
SCHOOL: Chatsworth (Calif.) High POS.: 3B
HT./WT.: 6-0/185 BIRTH DATE: Sept. 11, 1988
COMMENT: Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said it was "fun" to scout California this year, and Moustakas was one big reason why. He hit .549 with 20 home runs in 82 at-bats.
