David Price from Vanderbilt celebrates ALCS victory
Most of my readers know that I am a diehard Red Sox fan but we have to congratulate to the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays after they both advance to the 2008 World Series. The Rays ended up making the series on the arm of David Price who was the number 1 pick in the 2007 MLB draft after a standout career with the Vanderbilt Commodores. He ended up getting the final four outs in Game 7 of the ALCS protecting a two run lead. They also featured 2006 number 3 overall pick, 2005 Cape Cod League MVP, and 2006 Big West Player of the Year Evan Longoria from Long Beach State. He has played in all eleven games of the playoffs with a .262 average, six homers, and eleven RBI. The Phillies are led by Notre Dame product Brad Lidge. He was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 1998 MLB draft and has played on the Houston Astros in addition to the Phillies. He has given up only one run in 7.1 innings of work while recording five saves. The Phillies hitting is led by Pat Burrell who was the first overall selection in the 1998 draft after a standout career with the Miami Hurricanes under Jim Morris. He has been solid at the plate in his nine game of action accumulating a .300 batting average, three homers, and seven RBI.
I know I am not naming off every college player on these two teams but college baseball is starting to make a major impact on the MLB playoffs. The former student-athletes are making a meteoric rise through the minor league system with the better coaching they are receiving in college being the main reason these guys are ready so quick.
