Ready to Streich
June 09, 2009 08:11 AM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
June 9, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University baseball player Tobias Streich has emerged as a solid professional baseball prospect as he patiently awaits his selection in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
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| Tobias Streich's ability to hit consistently compliments his superb arm strength.
Brian Persinger photo |
Hailing from Johnsonburg, Pa., Streich began his freshman season with the Mountaineers in 2008 as arguably the best catcher recruit in the East region. After two stellar years behind the plate at WVU, the Johnny Bench Award Watch List member has proven why he is the team’s top draft-eligible player.
Streich finished his sophomore campaign batting .322 with six home runs, 57 RBIs and 16 doubles. He greatly improved at the plate in his second season, striking out just 23 times in 239 plate appearances while showcasing his strong, accurate arm by gunning down 17 base runners.
The All-BIG EAST First Team selection has always drawn praise for his ability to throw out potential base stealers. But after going through pre-draft workouts for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, Streich has gained extra confidence in his vastly improved hitting approach.
“I’ve always had confidence in my arm strength -- that’s the strongest part of my game,” Streich said. “What I was happy with the most was my hitting, especially with Baltimore. They gave us 20 batting practice swings and I hit like 10 of them out, so it was just one of those days with the Orioles.”
Streich has been pleased with his performances for all four ballclubs, especially Baltimore and Houston. Both teams have shown persistent interest in the 21-year old catcher, who would enter his junior season should he not sign with a ballclub.
Several scouts may take notice of Streich’s endurance and toughness behind the plate. He is coming off a season in which he caught 53 of 55 games, and stepped in to catch 54 of 56 games in 2008. The hard-nosed competitor also shoulders the load by calling his own pitches, giving him added responsibility for each game.
Streich sees the heavy workload through his first two collegiate years as a positive. Originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th round out of high school, he expects to go much earlier in this year’s Draft thanks to his experience at WVU.
“I think it greatly improves my draft stock,” Streich said of deciding to play at college. “I’ve had a chance to play against some good competition and it gives you good physical and mental preparation. Being two years older definitely helps me in the Draft.”
The last WVU catcher selected in the First-Year Draft was David Carpenter, who was chosen in the 12th round in 2006. Three-year letterwinner Charles Boggs owns the school’s highest pick at the catching position, taken as the 220th overall pick in the 11th round by the Dodgers in 1967.
Whether Streich can become WVU’s highest-picked catcher is uncertain. Baseball America has pegged him as the 10th best pro prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes West Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland and Delaware. He continues to be evaluated optimistically for his “raw power and arm strength,” but must prove that he can harness a swing good enough for the Major League level.
Throughout his pro tryouts, each team has put Streich and several other prospects through various drills, with some workouts differing from others.
“A typical workout includes the 60 yard dash, outfield and infield drills and 15-20 batting practice swings,” Streich said. “Sometimes there are pitchers who throw to hitters live as well.”
If Streich’s progressive plate approach continues to catch up with his impressive catching mechanics, then the BIG EAST standout has a strong chance to enjoy a stellar career in professional baseball.
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