Guest GCMPats Posted January 19, 2010 Report Posted January 19, 2010 College 2010: Texas in a Nutshell David Rawnsley The Texas Longhorns fell one game short of winning the 2009 College World Series, losing to Louisiana State, 11-4, yet they weren’t even the most heralded college team in the state a year ago.That honor went to Howard College, which almost ran the table in the junior-college ranks, going an incredible 61-1 on its way to winning the Junior College World Series. The Hawks won their first 57 games.The focus of our 2010 state-by-state college preview today is on players from Texas, and both those teams look well-positioned to reach the same level of success in 2010, although no one is realistically expecting Howard to lose only a single game again, an unprecedented achievement.The legendary Augie Garrido took the Longhorns to their sixth CWS of the 2000’s last year and added 50 more wins to his all-time record for victories by a coach, which now stands at 1,718. More than ever, he will count on a pitching staff that is so deep and talented that no college team in the country can realistically come close to matching. Returning pitchers went a combined 43-15 in 2009 for Texas.Right-handers Brandon Workman, Chance Ruffin and Cole Green are projected early-round picks in this year’s draft, while right-hander Taylor Jungmann and Austin Dicharry and lefthander Sam Stafford are potential early-rounders in 2011. In recent years under head coach Britt Smith, Howard has gone from being an offensive powerhouse to a pitching-dominated team. That shouldn’t change much in 2010 as right-handers Burch Smith and Damien Magnifico rank as the top two JC pitching prospects in the state. Smith has been clocked in the mid-90s while Magnifico is an unsigned fifth-rounder from last year’s draft.The state of Texas won’t be ignored on the high-school front, either, in this year’s draft. Right-hander Jameson Taillon of The Woodlands High in suburban Houston is regarded as the top prep prospect in the country. There is even early speculation that he could be a candidate for the top overall pick in the 2010 draft, an honor that no high-school right-hander has ever achieved.On the topic of first overall pick, the 2011 draft should be a very interesting one for Texas. Three college players should be on the very short list of candidates: Jungmann, slugging Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon and Texas Christian lefthander Matthew Purke, an unsigned first-rounder of the Texas Rangers in 2009 who will be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2011.With that as a backdrop, here’s an overview of how we see the talent stacking up in the college ranks in Texas in 2010.BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Texas.BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Howard.BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Bellaire.COLLEGE/BEST SENIOR PROSPECT: Bryan Holaday, c, Texas Christian/Ryan Enos, of, Dallas Baptist.COLLEGE/BEST JUNIOR PROSPECT: Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas.COLLEGE/BEST SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Taylor Jungmann, rhp, Texas/Anthony Rendon, 3b, Rice.COLLEGE/BEST FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Matthew Purke, lhp, Texas Christian.COLLEGE/BEST NON-DIVISION I PROSPECT: Rafael Thomas, of, Lubbock Christian.BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE PROSPECT: Burch Smith, rhp, Howard.HIGH SCHOOL/BEST SENIOR PROSPECT: Jameson Taillon, rhp, The Woodlands.HIGH SCHOOL/BEST JUNIOR PROSPECT: Ricardo Jacquez, ss-rhp, Franklin HS/El Paso.HIGH SCHOOL/BEST SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Courtney Hawkins, rhp, Carroll HS/Corpus Christi.COLLEGE/BEST TOOLS:Best Athlete: Michael Choice, of, Texas-Arlington (Jr.)/Michael Fuda, of, Rice (So.).Best Pure Hitter: Anthony Rendon, 3b, Rice (So.).Best Raw Power Hitter: Kevin Keyes, of-1b, Texas (Jr.)/Cameron Rupp, c, Texas (Jr.).Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Blake Kelso, ss, Houston (Jr.).Fastest Base Runner: Michael Fuda, of, Rice (So.).Best Base Runner: Rick Hague, ss, Rice (Jr.)/Brandon Loy, ss, Texas (So.).Best Defender: Bryan Holaday, c, Texas Christian (Sr.).Best Infield Arm: Adam Smith, ss-rhp, Texas A&M (So.).Best Outfield Arm: Brooks Pinckard, Baylor (So.)/Connor Rowe, Texas (Jr.).Best Fastball: Taylor Jungmann, rhp, Texas (So.)/Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas (Jr.).Best Breaking Ball: Taylor Wall, lhp, Rice (So.)/Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas (Jr.).Best Changeup: Michael Goodnight, rhp, Houston (So.).Best Command: Chance Ruffin, rhp, Texas (Jr.).TOP 10 COLLEGE PROSPECTS/2010 DRAFT(Projected Round Noted)1. Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas (Jr.) First RoundBig power arm has two plus pitches, but struggles with command as starter; might work best in closer role2. Chad Bettis, rhp, Texas Tech (Jr.) First RoundFilled every role for Tech in ’09 (6-1, 3.59, 7 SV), closed for Team USA; 97 mph FB/SL are plus pitches3. Michael Choice, of, Texas-Arlington (Jr.) First RoundSuperior athlete with 5-tool potential; hit .413-11-52 as UTA soph, .350-3-13 for Team USA last summer4. Ricky Hague, ss, Rice (Jr.) First/Second RoundNo true standout tool, but does everything well, has outstanding makeup; good power (.319-9-57) for a SS5. Cameron Rupp, c, Texas (Jr.) Second/Third RoundHas always had big-time power (11 HR as a soph), but defense has improved tremendously since HS6. Dallas Gallant, rhp, Sam Houston State (Jr.) Second/Third Round2009 numbers (4-4, 6.52) don’t reflect 94 mph FB/plus SL; dominant in Cape Cod as closer (43K/28IP)7. Kevin Keyes, of-1b, Texas (Jr.) Second/Third FourthEveryone saw his raw power in the CWS; may have outgrown the OF and will play some 1B in 20108. Barrett Loux, rhp, Texas A&M (Jr.) Second/Third FourthIs over elbow woes that hampered ‘09 season (3-3, 4.12); features mid-90s heavy sinker, can touch 989. Jared Ray, rhp, Houston (Jr.) Third RoundRay and teammate Michael Goodnight (soph eligible) both have plus FBs to go with potential plus curves10. Cole Green, rhp, Texas (Jr.) Third RoundEasy to overlook on the loaded UT staff, but may be best Sunday starter in the country; bulldog approachSLEEPER: Rett Varner, rhp, Texas-Arlington Fourth-year junior has seen his velocity jump to 96 mph in the past year, also features a power curveball
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