PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT
2. RICE (57-13, advanced to College World Series).
Conference/Projected Finish: Conference USA/1st (22-2, 1st in 2006; won conference post-season tournament).
Coach: Wayne Graham (684-270, 15 years).
First Game: Feb. 3 vs.
Central
Missouri
State
.
OVERVIEW: Rice won more games (57) and posted a better winning percentage (.814) than any team in the nation a year ago, but the Owls fell short in their bid for a second national title in three years, finishing third in
Omaha
. Led by junior 1B Joe Savery (.335-9-66), who led the team in RBIs, and junior SS Brian Friday (.353-9-57), who led in batting, the Owls return seven of nine regular position players. They must replace Eddie Degerman (13-2, 2.00) at the front of the rotation, but a healthy Savery (5-1, 2.76) is primed for the role while junior
LHP Cole St.
Clair (7-2, 1.82, 11 SV) is one of the nation’s elite closers.
X-Factor: Savery’s workload as a pitcher was cut in half last year because of a sore shoulder. He underwent minor labrum surgery after the college season. He was cleared to hit in the fall but wasn’t scheduled to begin pitching again until January. If he returns to his freshman form on the mound, when he went 8-5, 2.43 with 129 strikeouts in 118 innings and topped out at 93 mph, he could be a high first-rounder.
TOP FRESHMAN: Diego Seastrunk, 3b. Seastrunk moves in at third, where he replaces Josh Rodriguez (.344-11-64), a second-round pick of the Indians. In the end, freshman RHP Ryan
Berry
may be the better prospect, but his opportunity to pitch meaningful innings may be limited in 2007. Neither Seastrunk nor
Berry
was drafted out of high school.
TOP SOPHOMORE: Aaron Luna, of-2b. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Luna is best suited for second base, but his powerful bat will play anywhere and he’s slated to return to left field. He hit .322-16-50 as a freshman, leading Rice in homers.
TOP JUNIOR: Joe Savery, 1b-lhp. Savery is the nation’s premier two-way talent. He has first-round ability as both a pitcher and hitter, though his upside is considered higher on the mound.
TOP SENIOR: The Owls have only three seniors on the roster, none of whom is expected to make an impact. Junior OF Tyler Henley (.336-8-54) was eligible for last year’s draft as a sophomore, meaning he’s the age of most seniors, and he could elevate his stock considerably from being an afterthought 50th-rounder in 2006 after a breakout summer in the Cape Cod League. He has power to all fields and is a dependable center fielder.