Watching fellow teammate Joey Butler in the Home Run Derby and then pitching my 1.1 innings in the game was awesome.  It’s pretty cool to be able to sit and talk with some of the guys on other teams, because it’s not something you get to do routinely.  They are always seen as “the enemy” so when they are on your team for one day, you make new friends very quickly.  The 1.1 innings that I got to throw were extremely nerve-racking, but to be able to be a part of it all and get out of there with zero runs scored is something I’ll never forget. 

Three of those minor leaguers were teammates of mine for four-plus years and, more importantly, friends.  Although you are happy to see them get a better opportunity in a different organization, you are sad to see them go as well.  I’ve talked about Beavan here extensively.  He was my roommate for many years, both in-season and during spring training, and quickly became my best friend in the organization, so hearing about him leaving was extremely bittersweet.  The Lee deal and the Jorge Cantu deal went down, and you slowly watch your teammates pack up and leave, one by one, heading off to different pastures.  As a player you always kind of wonder what it would like to be traded.

After packing up our lockers, it was time to head out.  Tanner and I stayed around and watched a few innings of that day’s game and said some our goodbyes – it was very weird to say goodbye and not have it be the end of the season. 

Overall it was a whirlwind experience, and although I was sad to hear I was leaving the Rangers organization, I am also very happy that I am getting a new opportunity with the Washington Nationals.  I have made a few starts already for the Harrisburg Senators, and have been pretty pleased with the results so far, and I hope I can keep it going for my last three starts as we are one game up in the playoff chase.

I will be keeping my Ryan.Tatusko@gmail.com address if anyone wants to keep those emails coming.

– Ryan

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

From Baseball America:

“stocky righthander with a football background. He’s generously listed at 6 feet and 210 pounds and accounted for 40 touchdowns as a quarterback in the fall. Davis helped his cause when he struck out 14 and homered to beat Bullard ace Nick Rumbelow in the second round of the Texas 3-A playoffs. A Baylor recruit, Davis has a 91-94 mph fastball and good mound presence. He shows aptitude for spinning a curveball and has feel for a changeup.”

Round 30: Brian Ragira – OF – 6′ 2″ – 185lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R – Martin High School, Arlington TX – Age:18

Click HERE for MLB.com scouting report and video

From Baseball America:

“With his bat speed and the strength in his 6-foot-2, 185-pound build, Ragira offers some of the best righthanded power potential in this draft class, though it may be three years before that potential is tested in pro ball. Scouts have enough questions about his bat that he probably won’t get the kind of bonus offer that a Stanford recruit advised by the Boras Corp. usually seeks. The son of Kenyan immigrants, Ragira can put on a show in batting practice and has room to put more weight on his wiry frame. He employs a patient, line-drive approach, yet didn’t tear up the showcase circuit last summer and has had a so-so spring at the plate. With average speed and arm strength, he’s capable of playing right field but could fit better in left. He won’t be a first-round pick in 2010, but if he proves himself at Stanford, he easily could go that high three years from now.”

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

Round 27: Alexander Claudio – LHP – 6′ 3″ – 160lbs – Throws/Hits: L/L – Isabel Flores High School (Puerto Rico) - Age: 18

Click HERE to see the MLB.com scouting video

From Baseball America:

“The most complete pitcher is lefthander Alexander Claudio. He’s a string bean at 6-foot-3 and 160 pounds, but scouts see projection in his build. He has a quiet, controlled delivery and currently sits 84-85 mph, touching 87. His changeup is a decent pitch now, while his curveball is a little loopy and needs to be tightened up. If Claudio puts some meat on his bones and the added strength shows up on the mound, he could have a chance.”

Round 28: John Kukuruda – RHP – 6′ 4″- 180lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R – East Niclaus High School (CA) – Age: 18

Round 24: Jacob Cole – RHP – 6′ 4″ – 235lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R - Sahuaro High School (AZ) – Age: 18

Click HERE for the MLB scouting video

From MLB.com:

Cole earned First Team All-State honors from the Arizona DailyStar and the Tuscon Daily Citizen after claiming Second Honors in 2008. He is also a standout hockey player and was drafted by the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in the 2006 supplemental player draft. Cole committed to play at the University of North Carolina.

From Baseball America:

“Righthanders Jake Cole and Dan Slania are similar and frequently mentioned in the same breath by scouts. Cole is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds and committed to North Carolina, while Slania is 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds and committed to Notre Dame. Cole started the season at 92-93 mph and touched 95, but he was down to 88-91 mph later in the season. Slania has been clocked at 90-92 mph. Both pitchers need to work on their below-average secondary stuff and watch their weight. They are also both considered tough signs.”

Round 25: Kendall Radcliffe – OF – 6′ 2″ – 185lbs – Throws/Hits: R/L – Morgan Park High School (IL) – Age: 18

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

From Baseball America:

“As a New Mexico prep corner outfielder, Sam Wilson draws a natural comparison to Max Walla, who was the Brewers’ second-rounder last year. But they’re different players because Wilson’s body isn’t nearly as strong as Walla’s. Wilson is 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds with skinny arms. He was an average runner last summer, and a tick below this spring. He’s a good defensive player, though he will be limited to a corner spot. His arm is good enough for right field. Wilson has a simple, compact swing and is a better pure hitter than Walla, though he doesn’t have the same power. Some scouts don’t like him as a hitter, however, and like him better as a lefthanded pitcher. His fastball is mostly in the 85-87 mph range, though he has been up to 90. His secondary pitches need a lot of work. Wilson is committed to New Mexico, and teams will probably let him develop further there.”

Round 21: Joseph Van Meter – RHP – 6′ 2″ – 195lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R – Virginia Commonwealth University – Age: 21

From Baseball America:

“The other colleges in the state don’t have nearly as much to offer, with Joe Van Meter at Virginia Commonwealth garnering the most interest. He has shown power at the plate and a good arm at third base, but scouts like him on the mound. He’s a natural thrower who can pitch in low 90s without much effort. In the fall he touched 94 and 95 mph, but he hasn’t shown it this spring and sometimes threw in the mid-80s. He’s unpolished because he doesn’t have a lot of experience as a pitcher, so he would be a project. His secondary stuff is below-average. He won’t go in the first 10 rounds, but a team might take a chance on him late with an eye toward making him a reliever.”

Click HERE for the player profile from the Virginia Commonwealth University website

Round 22: Benjamin Rowen – RHP – 6′ 3″ – 190lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R - Virginia Tech University – Age: 21

Click HERE for the player profile from the Virginia Tech University website

Click HERE for the MLB scouting video

From MLB.com:

Tepesch was a 26th round selection in 2007 draft by the Boston Red Sox but did not sign

Click HERE for the player profile from the University of Missouri website

Round 15: Ryan Rodebaugh – RHP – 6′ 0″ – 165lbs – Throws/Hits: R/L – Kennesaw State University – Age: 21

Click HERE for the player profile from the Kennesaw State University website

Round 16: Ryan Strausborger – OF – 6′ 0″ – 180lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R – Indiana State University – Age: 22

From Baseball America:

“a versatile athlete with plus speed. He earned all-Missouri Valley Conference honors in each of the last three seasons, as a second baseman in 2008 and a center fielder the last two years. Strausborger, who also played shortstop this spring, fits best in center and has a strong arm for the position. The 6-foot, 175-pound righthanded hitter makes consistent contact, but he’ll needs to change his approach. He drops his shoulder and hits too many balls in the air. While he has gap power, he should get more out of his speed.”

Click HERE for the player profile from the Indiana State University website

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

From Baseball America:

“another little lefty at 6 feet, 170 pounds, is also a Citadel recruit and throws three pitches for strikes“

** Note from EMC: Chris Hanna is from Goose Creek SC – same as Rangers 1B Justin Smoak

Round 12: Joshua Richmond - OF – 6′ 3″ – 205lbs – Throws/Hits: R/R – Univeristy of Louisville – Age: 19

From Baseball America:

“Louisville should have six hitters selected in the draft, and the one with the most potential missed most of the season. Outfielder Josh Richmond injured his left hand when hit by a pitch in April 2009 and eventually had surgery last winter. A circulation problem kept his hand from healing properly, and he reinjured it diving for a ball in February and missed 41 games. He’s a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder with the swing and strength to hit for average and power once he improves his pitch recognition. His best tool is his strong arm, and his slightly above-average speed may allow him to play center field in pro ball. If healthy, Richmond might have gone as high as the third round. Now it’s likely that whichever team drafts him will monitor his health in summer ball before signing him.”

Click HERE for the player profile from the University of Louisville website

Round 13: Andrew Clark – 1B – 6′ 3″ – 230lbs – Throws/Hits: L/L – University of Louisville – Age: 19

From Baseball America:

“was more of a prospect as a pitcher until he had labrum surgery before his senior season in high school. He played part-time at Mississippi as a freshman before becoming a three-year starter at Louisville. Though he’s a 6-foot-3, 225-pound lefthanded hitter with a terrific approach and control of the strike zone, scouts question how much power he’ll hit for in pro ball. They also wonder how easy he’ll be to sign as a senior after he turned down a six-figure offer from the Cubs as a 31st-round pick a year ago. He’s a good defender at first base. He missed 14 games this spring with a stress fracture in his left ribcage.”

Click HERE for the player profile from the University of Louisville website

Click HERE for the MLB.com scouting video

Click HERE for the player profile from the University of Toledo website

**Note from EMC – I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and the University of Toledo was affectionately known as Bancroft High School – but not anymore.