Why We Love David Price
By E. Spencer Kyte
Love of Sports Correspondent
Want to sound like the brightest baseball mind in your group?
Tell your friends about David Price.
If you’re thinking, “Who the hell is David Price?,” you’re two steps behind. Good thing you dropped by.
Price was the first overall selection in the 2007 Amateur MLB Draft by playoff NKOTB Tampa Bay and is on the fast track to superstardom. I mean that without an ounce of hyperbole, either. He might be the best pitching prospect the league’s seen since Dwight Gooden in the mid ‘80s.
Besides his insane pitching talents, which we’ll get to momentarily, Price is also an outstanding story to jump on because of how he has gotten to where he is today – that being the cusp of stardom.
The Los Angeles Dodgers originally drafted Price in the 19th round following a standout high school career at Blackman HS, though they didn’t sign him.
Instead, Price took his skills and smarts to Vanderbilt University on an academic scholarship and joined the Commodore baseball team.
He was a Freshman All-American in 2005, Third Team All-American as a sophomore in 2006 and won college baseball’s top honor – the Dick Howser Trophy – following an 11-1 season as a junior.
Imagine that – an athlete gaining from going to college. What an interesting concept! Understanding you’re not skilled enough or ready to compete on the professional level and getting an education while honing your talents, only to come out a much improved athlete (and hopefully complete person) in the end?
(We interrupt this Bandwagon Love session for a special commentary.)
Dear Brandon Jennings,
I love your fade away as much as the next guy, but maybe you should’ve studied up a little more and passed them SATs so you could learn from Lute Olsen instead of trying to figure out how to speak Italian. Imjustsayin ...
Good luck and enjoy the pasta,
E. Spencer Kyte
(Now back to our regularly scheduled program...)
This season, Price has been even better than advertised, a feat which is somewhat had to believe.
If not for some nagging injuries during the spring, there was a chance Price would’ve been a member of the Rays right out of the gate. Ask the Yankees, the first team he faced this spring, how good the kid is.
Recalling past failures with rushing prospects to the majors (cough – Dewan Brazelton – cough), Tampa did the right thing to send Price to the minors. Since then, he’s made life difficult for everyone who’s stepped to the plate to face him.
Thus far at High-A Vero Beach and Double-A Montgomery, Price has compiled an 8-0 record with a sparkling 1.92 ERA while striking out 62 batters and walking only 17 through his 65 innings.
While previous years would’ve seen Price in the majors by now, Tampa’s rise to power in the American League also means they can take their time with their prized pupil. That being said, and with the way he is dominating every time he takes the bump, don’t expect him to remain in the minors much later than August 1st.
Next time you’re in a discussion with your friends about who’s going to emerge from the American League, toss this one out there:
“I really like Tampa’s chances. I mean, they’ve been in the thick of it all season long, and David Price will be a huge difference maker down the stretch.”
Your friends will think you’re a little left of center. Don’t worry about it, though. Sit back, watch Tampa Bay call him up and you’ll be proven to be a genius. You can thank me later.
How?
We’ll work out a Jose Reyes/Carlos Delgado-style handshake when you take your seat next to me on the David Price Bandwagon.
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