Addison Maruszak won't return to USF for his senior year after signing a professional contract with the New York Yankees, as reported by St Petersburg Times USF beat writer Greg Auman.
Auman reports that Maruszak said he expects to report to Staten Island, where the Yankees have a short-season rookie-league team that begins its season next week.
It's a long, winding road to the majors, but Maruszak has been drafted at a time when Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Yankee ownership seem to be committed to making a youth movement. If Maruszak can prove he belongs at shortstop during his stay in the minors, he could be a possible successor to Derek Jeter, who turns 34 this year. The Yankees' other potential shortstop, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, turns 33 this year.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Random MLB Draft thoughts
Former USF ace Daniel Thomas was picked in the 13th round by the Oakland Athletics, shortstop Addison Maruszak had his dream come true and was drafted in the 17th round by the New York Yankees, and SIX of USF's 11 signees for next season were drafted in the first 50 rounds of the 2008 MLB Draft.
It will be interesting to follow Thomas with the A's. He has overpowering velocity, but he will have to work on consistently getting guys out. Having a 91 mph fastball with control is much better than a 96 mph one with moments of wildness, that is the difference betweenThomas being a future A.J Burnett or a future John Smoltz.
As far as recruits go, nothing has been commented on their decisions to go to USF or to the pros, but catcher Adrian Nieto and LHP Anthony Ferrara went in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively, and odds are they will probably turn pro.
It will be interesting to follow Thomas with the A's. He has overpowering velocity, but he will have to work on consistently getting guys out. Having a 91 mph fastball with control is much better than a 96 mph one with moments of wildness, that is the difference betweenThomas being a future A.J Burnett or a future John Smoltz.
As far as recruits go, nothing has been commented on their decisions to go to USF or to the pros, but catcher Adrian Nieto and LHP Anthony Ferrara went in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively, and odds are they will probably turn pro.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Bulls push lead back to four
After scoring two runs in the fifth, the Bulls added another in the sixth to give them a 7-3 cushion.
Senior third baseman reached base on a single, and after a Junior Carlin double advanced him to third, he was able to score on a wild pitch.
Fontanez got out of a jam in the fifth, getting the Mountaineers to leave two on base.
Senior third baseman reached base on a single, and after a Junior Carlin double advanced him to third, he was able to score on a wild pitch.
Fontanez got out of a jam in the fifth, getting the Mountaineers to leave two on base.
WVU not going away easily
USF pitcher Randy Fontanez — who had not allowed a hit in the game's first three innings — seemed to fall apart in the fourth. He allowed three runs on three hits and an error, and the Mountaineers cut the Bulls lead to one.
USF 4, WVU 3
USF 4, WVU 3
Three innings in, Bulls still lead
The Bulls have maintained their early lead, adding a run in the top of the third to go up 4-0.
Freshman Stephen Hunt got to first on a single, then made it all the way to third on a past ball that WVU catcher Tobias Streich lost behind him. Then, Hunt scored on a wild pitch.
Freshman Randy Fontanez is pitching a stellar game, with four strikeouts in the first three innings including the side in the second.
Freshman Stephen Hunt got to first on a single, then made it all the way to third on a past ball that WVU catcher Tobias Streich lost behind him. Then, Hunt scored on a wild pitch.
Freshman Randy Fontanez is pitching a stellar game, with four strikeouts in the first three innings including the side in the second.
Bulls jump out to quick start
The game is only 1/2 an inning old, but USF managed to do some damage early. The Bulls first two batters — Mike Consolmagno and Junior Carlin — reached base on walks, and senior Joey Angelberger needed only one pitch to see one he liked.
He drove the ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The next three batters popped out to end the inning.
USF - 3, WVU - 0
He drove the ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The next three batters popped out to end the inning.
USF - 3, WVU - 0
Live blog: USF vs. West Virginia
I'm here in Clearwater again, where USF is playing in a must-win game against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Both teams have one loss in the Big East tournament, and a second would mean an end to the tournament — and likely the season — for both teams.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with Randy Fontanez taking the hill for the Bulls and Josh Whitlock going for WVU.
-Joe Rienzi
First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with Randy Fontanez taking the hill for the Bulls and Josh Whitlock going for WVU.
-Joe Rienzi
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Up next: Cincinnati
The Bulls completed their 9-3 victory over Notre Dame — the fourth win over the Irish in the last six days.
The Bulls will now look ahead to Cincinnati in a game that (hopefully) begins at 8 pm. The Bulls will look to carry the momentum of a four-game winning streak into the third round of the Big East tournament.
The Bulls will now look ahead to Cincinnati in a game that (hopefully) begins at 8 pm. The Bulls will look to carry the momentum of a four-game winning streak into the third round of the Big East tournament.
End in sight: Bulls up 9-3 after 8
The Bulls are creeping up on their sixth straight win — dating back to last season — against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Bulls allowed a run in the bottom of the 7th but retired the Irish in order in the bottom of the 8th.
If USF holds on, it will play the Cincinnati Bearcats — who beat the Bulls two of three times during the regular season — at 8:00 p.m. tonight (although, today's game was delayed until after 10 p.m., so that start time could be little more than wishful thinking).
USF-9, ND-3...Top 9
The Bulls allowed a run in the bottom of the 7th but retired the Irish in order in the bottom of the 8th.
If USF holds on, it will play the Cincinnati Bearcats — who beat the Bulls two of three times during the regular season — at 8:00 p.m. tonight (although, today's game was delayed until after 10 p.m., so that start time could be little more than wishful thinking).
USF-9, ND-3...Top 9
Still on top: Bulls up after five
The game has passed what should be the halfway mark (although, these two teams did go 16 innings on Friday), and USF is still on top.
Starting pitcher Derrick Stultz is out of the game, throwing 71 pitches and striking out four while leading the Bulls to an 8-2 lead.
There's still a lot of baseball to be played, but Addison Maruszak has gotten the Bulls off to a good start in the 6th, hitting a standup double. Then, Stephen Hunt reached first on a ball hit straight back to the Fighting Irish's freshman pitcher Evan Danieli — who was unable to handle it.
The Bulls picked up another run in the top of the sixth, and now lead 9-2.
Starting pitcher Derrick Stultz is out of the game, throwing 71 pitches and striking out four while leading the Bulls to an 8-2 lead.
There's still a lot of baseball to be played, but Addison Maruszak has gotten the Bulls off to a good start in the 6th, hitting a standup double. Then, Stephen Hunt reached first on a ball hit straight back to the Fighting Irish's freshman pitcher Evan Danieli — who was unable to handle it.
The Bulls picked up another run in the top of the sixth, and now lead 9-2.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Bulls continue to pull away
A four-run lead just didn't seem comfortable enough for Lelo Prado and the South Florida baseball team.
USF had a small, two-out rally starting with a Joey Angelberger single. The ball was thrown into the dugout, so he advanced to second on the error. Junior Addison Maruszak drove him home with an RBI single, then advanced to third on a stolen base/throwing error.
Despite the runner on third, USF was only able to add one more run.
The Bulls are up 7-2 in the middle of the 4th.
USF had a small, two-out rally starting with a Joey Angelberger single. The ball was thrown into the dugout, so he advanced to second on the error. Junior Addison Maruszak drove him home with an RBI single, then advanced to third on a stolen base/throwing error.
Despite the runner on third, USF was only able to add one more run.
The Bulls are up 7-2 in the middle of the 4th.
Live blog: Big East baseball!
A friendly hello to all you night owls. I'm here at the Big East tournament started today at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, and the Bulls are playing Notre Dame for the fourth time in six days.
The Bulls fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, but mounted a furious second inning. USF batted around the order and took a 6-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher Derrick Stultz has struck out two so far, and the Bulls look to extend their winning streak against the Fighting Irish. As I'm typing, Stultz picked up his third strkeout. Stay tuned for updates throughout the night and into the early morning.
-Joe Rienzi
The Bulls fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, but mounted a furious second inning. USF batted around the order and took a 6-2 lead.
Freshman pitcher Derrick Stultz has struck out two so far, and the Bulls look to extend their winning streak against the Fighting Irish. As I'm typing, Stultz picked up his third strkeout. Stay tuned for updates throughout the night and into the early morning.
-Joe Rienzi
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Baseball in, softball out
One team saw a dream fulfilled on Saturday, while another saw its dream end.
The South Florida baseball team needed to win at least one of three games against Notre Dame — the team that was No. 2 in the Big East standings on Thursday.
The Bulls not only won once, but earned their first sweep of a conference foe sinc joining the Big East in 2005.
Each of the three games against the Fighting Irish were decided by just one run, and Saturday's game was a thriller.
USF trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the 4th, but managed to come back and take the game 9-8. Senior Joey Angelberger — playing his last game at Red McEwen Field — started things off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. The Bulls eventually scored six runs in that inning, two in the fifth, and one in the eighth.
With the sweep, USF locked up the sixth seed in this week's Big East tournament. They play Tuesday in Clearwater against No. 3 seeded Notre Dame. Yes, the sweep dropped Notre Dame from second to third in the Big East, and the teams will meet for the fourth time in six days Tuesday.
While the baseball team was fighting its way into the postseason, the softball team was getting bounced from it. The Bulls lost their opening round game to UCF on Friday, and suffered a 9-2 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
The Bulls season ends in what would have to be disappointment after winning the first regular-season Big East title in school history.
Check Monday's Oracle for more information about these two teams.
-Joe Rienzi
The South Florida baseball team needed to win at least one of three games against Notre Dame — the team that was No. 2 in the Big East standings on Thursday.
The Bulls not only won once, but earned their first sweep of a conference foe sinc joining the Big East in 2005.
Each of the three games against the Fighting Irish were decided by just one run, and Saturday's game was a thriller.
USF trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the 4th, but managed to come back and take the game 9-8. Senior Joey Angelberger — playing his last game at Red McEwen Field — started things off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. The Bulls eventually scored six runs in that inning, two in the fifth, and one in the eighth.
With the sweep, USF locked up the sixth seed in this week's Big East tournament. They play Tuesday in Clearwater against No. 3 seeded Notre Dame. Yes, the sweep dropped Notre Dame from second to third in the Big East, and the teams will meet for the fourth time in six days Tuesday.
While the baseball team was fighting its way into the postseason, the softball team was getting bounced from it. The Bulls lost their opening round game to UCF on Friday, and suffered a 9-2 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
The Bulls season ends in what would have to be disappointment after winning the first regular-season Big East title in school history.
Check Monday's Oracle for more information about these two teams.
-Joe Rienzi
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Living on the edge
The USF baseball team lost the first game of a day-night doubleheader 8-1 and then blew a 3- lead in the ninth inning, losing the second game by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings.
Those two losses, coupled with Villanova and Rutgers splitting their doubleheader today, puts USF in a three-way tie for the last two spots in the Big East Tournament with the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights with all three teams boasting a 10-13 conference record.
USF holds the tiebreaker over Rutgers at the moment, but Villanova trumps both teams due to its better overall record.
It's going to be a tense sunday in the Tristate area tomorrow afternoon. Rutgers needs to win to be in the top eight heading into next weekend, Villanova could practically punch a ticket winning tomorrow and USF is falling fast, so a win tomorrow for them would be a season saving one.
- Martin Bater
Those two losses, coupled with Villanova and Rutgers splitting their doubleheader today, puts USF in a three-way tie for the last two spots in the Big East Tournament with the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights with all three teams boasting a 10-13 conference record.
USF holds the tiebreaker over Rutgers at the moment, but Villanova trumps both teams due to its better overall record.
It's going to be a tense sunday in the Tristate area tomorrow afternoon. Rutgers needs to win to be in the top eight heading into next weekend, Villanova could practically punch a ticket winning tomorrow and USF is falling fast, so a win tomorrow for them would be a season saving one.
- Martin Bater
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