Back to the Table of Contents Page

Back to the Weekly Home Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Stanford pitching staff caught in a draft once again

by Rick Eymer

For the second straight year, the Stanford baseball may lose its starting rotation -- even though one member is just a sophomore. Five Cardinal players were selected on the first day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, including every member of the starting rotation -- Mike Gosling, Jeremy Guthrie and Jeff Bruksch.

Jason VanMeetren and Mike Wodnicki were also picked.

Palo Alto High grad Jon Brandt, who concluded his career at UCLA this season, was drafted in the 16th round by the San Diego Padres.

"Those three guys in the starting rotation have really been the strength of our team all year," said Stanford coach Mark Marquess. "We're spoiled a little bit to be able to have guys like that come to Stanford, but that's been normal for us recently. All of the guys drafted should be able to compete well professionally."

Gosling was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round with the 66th pick overall. Gosling has a current 7-2 record with a 3.57 ERA in 2001. He was 7-0 in Pac-10 games, winning six consecutive starts at one point. Gosling ranks second on Stanford's all-time strikeout per nine inning list (10.05).

"I'm very happy to have been selected by the Diamondbacks," said Gosling. "I'm a West Coast kind of guy, and I love the Phoenix area and staying out West. The Diamondbacks are a fantastic organization and being their second pick is pretty exciting."

Guthrie is a draft eligible sophomore selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round with the 84th selection overall. Guthrie leads the Cardinal in victories (12) and has a current 2.58 ERA. He already ranks tied for ninth on Stanford's single-season list for victories (12) and strikeouts (121), leading the team in those categories as well as innings pitched (125.2) and games started (18).

Guthrie has also been Stanford's top pitcher in postseason action with a 2-0 record, a 1.65 ERA and the team's only complete game.

"It¼s exciting to finally know what team you have a shot to play for," said Guthrie. "This has been a very exciting year at Stanford. I've learned so much and been able to get better as a player and a person. It has helped me prepare for whatever happens in the future.

"I want to go out and play this summer and move on to the next level. It just depends on whether we can work out a deal that works for both of us. If everything seems right, that should to be the path that I will take."

Bruksch was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round with the 161st selection overall. Bruksch has a current 9-3 record and a 3.21 ERA, while ranking second on the club in both innings pitched (120.2) and strikeouts (103).

VanMeetren was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 13th round with the 400th overall pick. VanMeetren was Stanford's only non-pitcher selected on the first day of the draft. He is hitting .318 with seven homers, 31 RBI and seven stolen bases.

Wodnicki was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round with the 494th pick overall. Wodnicki is Stanford's all-time leader in won-loss percentage with a 13-1 (.929) lifetime record at Stanford. This year, he is 6-1 with a 4.97 ERA and has a team-high-tying six saves. He also leads the club with 26 appearances.

"I had a great time here, but I'm ready," said Wodnicki. "I've grown as a person and ready to go to the next level."

Sounds like Marquess is going to have to dig up a new starting rotation next season.