Kansas Baseball Prepares for Fall Ball and Scout Day
Oct. 1, 2004
LAWRENCE, Kan. – After back-to-back 30 wins season, the Kansas baseball team will begin preparations for its 2005 campaign as it kicks off the fall season with a three scrimmages this weekend and scout day on Monday, Oct. 4.
This fall, the Jayhawks will participate in 24 full-team practices, which incudes 12 scrimmages that will be open to the public. The first set of scrimmages will be held this weekend at Hoglund Ballpark. Three weekend series, Oct. 1-3, Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 22-24 will showcase the 2005 Jayhawks. The first pitch for this weekend’s games are Friday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, at noon and Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. The Jayhawks will host parents weekend on Friday, Oct. 8, at Hoglund Field. A recap of the weekend’s games will be posted on www.kuathletics.com
Scout day, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, gives the baseball team an opportunity to showcase its uperclassmen in the hopes that they might be selected in the upcoming 2005 Major League Baseball amateur draft, which will be held in the June. The following list highlights a few of the players that will be featured at KU’s scout day.
Andy Scholl – Senior – Left field/First base
In his first season with the Jayhawks in 2003, Scholl collected 63 hits in 209 at bats for a .301 batting average. The Albuquerque, N.M., native finished with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 46 RBI. Over the summer, Scholl played in 54 games for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League and batted .294 while driving in 33 runs. He led the team with 65 hits, including 21 doubles and two home runs. During the summer, Scholl committed no defensive errors in the field and was awarded a Silver Glove award.
“Andy was drafted out of junior college and was the New Mexico state player of the year coming out of high school,” said head coach Ritch Price. “He will work out at both left field and first base for us this season. He is a solid offensive player and if he continues to progress should have a chance to turn pro.”
Matt Baty – Junior – Centerfield/Second base
Baty became the first All-Big 12 first team selection in KU history last season, as he posted a .344 batting average and led the Jayahawks with 62 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. Baty was named the recipient of the Kosinski and O’Toole awards after being named the MVP of the Anchorage Glacier Pilots this summer.
“Matt is coming off a first team All-Big 12 performance last season and was the Glaciers’ Player of the Year this summer,” said Price. “He is one of the best lead-off hitters in the country. If he puts together a solid season, he could follow his brother (Ryan Baty) into the June professional draft.”
Gus Milner – Junior – Outfield
Milner is a newcomer to the Jayhawks this season. He played the last two seasons at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan.
“Gus is 6’7″ and is a good runner,” Price said. “He has all the physical tools to be a high selection in the June draft if he can come in here and put it all together.”
A.J. Van Slyke – Junior – Outfield
Van Slyke, the son of former major leaguer Andy Van Slyke, posted a .360 batting average in 75 at bats during the 2004 season. Over the summer, Van Slyke led the Central Illinois Collegiate League in batting average (.402), slugging percentage (.667), home runs (9) and finished second in the league in RBI (40), doubles (15) and stolen bases (19). Following the conclusion of the season, Van Slyke was the league’s recipient of the Mike Schmidt Most Valuable Player Award.
“A.J. had a good spring for us last season and had a great summer,” said Price. “He has improved more from start of last season to this fall than any player that I have ever coached. He has a great chance to become a professional player if he continues to develop.”
Ritchie Price – Junior – Shortstop
Last season as a sophomore, Price pounded out 84 hits in 248 at bats for a .339 batting average. The San Luis Obispo, Calf., native scored 50 runs and drove in 47 while collected a .954 fielding percentage at shortstop. This summer with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, Price collected a .264 batting average and was 7-of-8 in stolen base attempts.
“Ritchie is one of the best defensive players in the country,” said head coach Ritch Price. “He continues to improve in every phase of the game.”
Sean Richardson – Senior – Catcher
Richardson was named All-Big 12 second team in 2004 after posting a .332 average with 12 home runs and a team-leading 69 RBI. This summer he played for the Orleans Cardinals of theCape Cod Baseball League.
“Last season Sean was second team All-Big 12,” said Price. “He turned downt the chance to go pro last season to come back to KU for his senior season. If he continues to improve he should become a top 10 round trip”
Mike Zagurski – Senior – LHP
Complied a 4-4 recorded with a 4.81 ERA in 73 innings of work in 2004. Zagurski collected 70 strikeouts to finish second on the team in that category. With the Anchorage Glacier Pilots over the summer, he compiled a 1-5 record with a 3.97 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings pitched.
“Mike had a solid summer with Anchorage and has made great strides this fall,” said Price. “He will be counted on the be one of our weekend starters this season.”
Kodiak Quick – Junior – RHP
Quick will be another new face to the Jayhawks this season, as he comes to Lawrence after spending two seasons at Stanford. The Belton, Mo., native collected a 1-0 record and a 3.62 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16 relief appearances for the Cardinal last season.
“Kodiak is a transfer from Stanford who has tremendous stuff on the mound,” Price said. “He will be counted upon to be an impact guy for us this season.”
