Monday, August 17, 1998
UCLA primes players for pros
MAJORLEAGUERS: Past Bruins tackle major leagues, earn spots on
top teams
By Evan Lovett
Daily Bruin Staff
Add Troy Glaus and Jim Parque to the ever-growing list of former
UCLA baseball players that have reached the major leagues.
Led by head coach Gary Adams, the UCLA baseball program has been
a springboard to professional baseball and a boon for major league
scouts. The program has produced 46 major-leaguers, including 32
during Adams’ tenure and countless others who have gone on to play
professional baseball in the minor leagues.
Glaus and Parque, on the Angels and White Sox respectively, were
called up to the major leagues faster than expected. Both were
members of UCLA’s 1997 College World Series team and were drafted
following the season.
Also in that 1997 powerhouse club were outfielders Eric Valent
and Eric Byrnes; pitchers Jake Meyer, Pete Zamora and Tom Jacquez;
second baseman Nick Theodorou and catcher Casey Cloud. Each of
these players is now involved in professional baseball and may be
joining their former teammates in the major leagues soon.
Valent, drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies this June after
receiving Pac-10 Player of the Year honors, was recently promoted
to Clearwater in the high-A class after dominating opposing
pitching in low-A ball at Piedmont. Valent was hitting at a torrid
.427 clip with eight home runs before the promotion.
UCLA all-time hits leader Eric Byrnes was promoted to high-A
Visalia for the Oakland organization after receiving consecutive
"Player of the Game" awards in low-A class Southern Oregon. In his
first eight games for Visalia, Byrnes exuded confidence at the
plate, as evidenced by his .500 batting average and eight extra
base hits.
Also making his debut in high-A ball this year is the closer
from the ’97 team, Jake Meyer. He had saved 11 games for Hickory
(low-A) in the Chicago White Sox organization before he was called
up to Winston-Salem. In his first 3.2 innings, he has only allowed
one earned run.
Pete Zamora, the first baseman and No.2 pitcher for the Bruins
in ’97, dropped his bat in favor of his pitcher’s glove. He led the
California League in ERA with San Bernadino in the Dodger
organization. He was subsequently called up to San Antonio and
received the Dodgers’ minor league "Pitcher of the Week" award.
The 1997 team is not the only place to look when searching for
former Bruins knocking on the door of the major leagues. Catcher
Adam Melhuse is hitting .321 with 13 home runs for Knoxville (Blue
Jays) in AA ball. Mike Mitchell, first baseman, is hitting .318
with 12 home runs and 76 RBI for Mobile (Padres), also in AA.
Shortstop Torey Lovullo is tearing up AAA pitching for a .338
clip with 14 home runs for Buffalo (Indians). Jon Heinrichs, an
outfielder for Brevard County (Marlins) is leading his team with a
.293 average in addition to his 18 stolen bases in A ball.
UCLA’s all-time stolen base leader, Dave Roberts, is hitting
.345 with 19 stolen bases as the designated hitter for Akron
(Indians) in class-AA. Pitcher Gabe Sollecito of class-A Charlotte
(Rangers) is 5-2 with a 0.94 ERA in 57.2 innings pitched.
The summer success even seems to have rubbed off on current
Bruins playing summer ball. Garett Atkins, Chase Utley, Jack
Santora, Chad Cislak and Matt Pearl all tried their hand at the
Cape Cod League, a prestigious summer showcase of college
baseball’s best returning players.
Despite being the third-youngest position player in the league,
Atkins was impressive, narrowly missing out on the batting title
after hitting .383 – less than one point behind leader Robert
Keilty of Mississippi. Atkins led his team in average, hits, RBI
and doubles. Atkins’ strong play earned him a start for the western
division all-star team as the designated hitter.
Shortstop and second baseman Chase Utley joined Atkins as two of
only four true freshmen to hit over .300, as Utley ended the season
at .304.
Jack Santora joined Atkins on the western division all-star team
by way of his stellar defense at shortstop and top-10 finish in the
league in batting, finishing at .308.
Chad Cislak carried the load for his club’s pitching staff,
appearing in a team-high 18 games and finishing with a 3.65
ERA.
Matt Pearl ended the season at .184 with six stolen bases.
The pipeline to the major leagues that is UCLA baseball shows no
signs of slowing down. The summer success of present and former
Bruins alike proves that as long as there is UCLA baseball, there
will be Bruins in the professional leagues.
Daily Bruin File Photo
Jim Parque pitches against Cal last year.
Troy Glaus