The source for Rice sports news

Rice Baseball: MLB Draft decisions loom for six Owls

By

Rice baseball will lose a handful of players to the MLB Draft this fall, but the roster continues to improve as new recruits choose the Owls.

The Owls roster will feature some familiar faces and some very new names in 2020. The first notable changes will be determined in the coming months as each of the six recent MLB draftees make decisions on their professional baseball futures.

Matt Canterino, Evan Kravetz and Garrett Gayle will be playing pro ball next season, that’s definitive. What’s less clear is what the remaining three drafted Rice baseball players — Roel Garcia, Addison Moss and Trei Cruz — will choose to do.

As of this moment, it’s most likely all three of them return. However, the Tampa Bay Rays plan to fly to Houston to see Moss pitch in the coming weeks. If any of those three opt for pro ball this year, he seems to be the most likely candidate. The entire trio have the skillsets to climb into Top 10 round picks next season with strong fall seasons and reinvigorated springs. Their opportunity suggest at least one more year at South Main.

Incoming talent

Assuming the reinsertion of Garcia and Moss, the Rice pitching staff could be in better shape than expected considering the loss of two Top 5 round draft selections. Rice is going to add some JUCO guys on the mound expected to contribute quickly.

Reinforcements are coming to the lineup, too. Finding another left handed bat was a must in this recruiting cycle as was adding more power. The Owls feel like they accomplished both of those things. Altogether, they’ll add a dozen new players to the roster this fall.

The pipeline continues further than that, though. Rice has eight players committed in the 2021 class, one which should, at least on paper, be the most talented class Bragga has ever recruited as a head coach. I asked about the influx of talent Rice was bringing into their program, asking him if it seems like he’s “Recruiting at the level that you need to…

“….go to Omaha,” Bragga finished. “At the end of the day, that’s the goal.” Rice has work to do before they return to the College World Series. But it’s encouraging to see the groundwork is being laid.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

MLB Draft: Evan Kravetz selected by Reds in Fifth Round

By

Evan Kravetz is the second Rice baseball product selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, coming off the board as a Fifth Round selection by the Cincinnati Reds.

Six months ago Evan Kravetz wasn’t expected to be a collegiate starting pitcher. The senior southpaw had made four starts in his career entering the 2019 season, appearing primarily out of the bullpen. He was effective there, but injuries opened the door for him to become a weekend starter in his final season.

Fast forward six months. Kravetz was a second-team All-Conference USA selection who claimed College Baseball National Pitcher of the Week and Conference USA Pitcher of the week this season. His 3.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP were second on the team, trailing only 2019 second round pick Matt Canterino.

By most every measure, Kravetz had pitched like an MLB Draft-worthy pitcher. On Tuesday those inklings became reality when the Cincinnati Reds selected Evan Kravetz with the 144th pick of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Being selected never seemed too farfetched — Kravetz was a solid pitcher before his senior campaign. But the effectiveness and poise displayed on the mound in 2019 had a demonstrable effect on the round Kravetz was selected in. He wasn’t a late round flier for his new team. He was valuable enough to spend a day two selection on. He’s part of their future.

It also shouldn’t come as a surprise the first two Rice Owls off the board came from their weekend rotation. The offense made some progress in 2019 and the defense took a massive leap forward. It was the starting rotation which never waived. It seems having multiple Top 10 MLB Draft selections in the rotation might have had something to do with the level of consistency.

The draft started Monday night with Round 1 and Round 2 before continuing Tuesday with Round 3 through Round 10. The remaining picks, Round 11 through Round 40 will take place on Tuesday. A full schedule a results tracker are available here.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

MLB Draft: Matt Canterino selected by Minnesota Twins in Second Round

By

Pitcher Matt Canterino is the first Rice baseball player selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, chosen by the Minnesota Twins in the second round.

Canterino entered the 2019 season with high expectations. After spending time with Team USA over the winter, the prospective early round pick put together an impressive spring campaign. Billed as the ace of a strong starting rotation, Canterino delivered in every way possible. Even his off days were strong starts. His best days, were MLB-caliber.

The Rice junior threw 99.1 innings with a 2.81 ERA and a stunning .970 WHIP. His 121 strikeouts were the most among Conference USA pitchers. He threw his first career complete game against FIU on April 5.

Those strong numbers did nothing but bolster his already potent MLB Draft stock. With Rice seeing their season end after a four-game conference tournament run, Canterino was able to turn his attention to the draft. And wait.

With the 54th selection of the second round, the Minnesota Twins selected Matt Canterino.

Several other Owls hope to hear their names called in the coming days. For now, Canterino becomes the most recent Rice player drafted since four Owls were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Shortstop Ford Proctor was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round. Pitcher Ricky Salinas went to the Cincinnati Reds in the 25th Round. Outfielder Cody Staab was picked by the Seattle Mariners in the 30th Round. 2019 Signee Antonio Cruz was a 40th Round selection by the Houston Astros before opting to go to school.

2019 MLB Draft schedule

The 2019 MLB Draft runs from June 3 to June 5. Rounds 1 and 2 will take place Monday (June 3), televised on the MLB Network. The final two days will available to watch on MLB.com Round 3 through Round 10 will take place Tuesday (June 4) with the remaining Rounds 11-40 on Wednesday (June 5).

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts