'08 VA OL Kyle Long (Florida State baseball signee - transfer to Piedmont CC)

[HotMic]

Anything can happen in recruiting, but from what i've been told...something big is going to have to happen for Long, Adams, and Brewster to not be Buckeyes.

[crazybuckfan40]

My question is 6'7'' 280...Would that be the biggest baseball player ever...

[LordJeffBuck]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

My question is 6'7'' 280...Would that be the biggest baseball player ever...

About the same size as C.C. Sabathia, another LHP.

J.R. Richard, a pitcher for the Houston Astros in the 1970's, was also about that size (6' 8", listed weight 222, but he was probably 250+).

[TheStoicPaisano]

Connor Smith (3b) and Mark Johnson (OF) both played baseball in HS.

Is Kyle a pitcher?

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

About the same size as C.C. Sabathia, another LHP.

J.R. Richard, a pitcher for the Houston Astros in the 1970's, was also about that size (6' 8", listed weight 222, but he was probably 250+).

I forgot about CC.

They said he topped out at about 92.

[Poz79]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

BN $

9/28

Kyle has glowing comments for tOSU but does say he wants to see what happens with the MLB draft.

Do you think he's really waiting for the draft or just saying that right now? After all he won't be MLB draft eligible until 08.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Poz79

Do you think he's really waiting for the draft or just saying that right now? After all he won't be MLB draft eligible until 08.

I know both Dad and brother have told him that if he can make professional money, without the everyday pain of football, to go for it.

It will depend on what is in Kyle's heart in the end though...however, the baseball route is a very real possibility.

[LordJeffBuck]

Originally Posted by Poz79

Do you think he's really waiting for the draft or just saying that right now? After all he won't be MLB draft eligible until 08.

You are correct - Kyle won't be eligible for the MLB draft until June of 2008. Why is he waiting for the June 2007 draft to decide between baseball and football? Probably because he wants to see where other similar prospects get drafted.

Originally Posted by osugrad21

I know both Dad and brother have told him that if he can make professional money, without the everyday pain of football, to go for it.

It will depend on what is in Kyle's heart in the end though...however, the baseball route is a very real possibility.

Baseball and pro dollars are nice, but it's hard to get football out of your blood....

[Folanator]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

Baseball and pro dollars are nice, but it's hard to get football out of your blood....

BB has always been his favorite and that he has only been serious about FB for a couple of years. Something about a growth plate issue in his knees keeping him off the field (common among kids who grow quickly).
It sure does sound like from what GRAD says his first love is baseball.

[Colvinnl]

"You are correct - Kyle won't be eligible for the MLB draft until June of 2008. Why is he waiting for the June 2007 draft to decide between baseball and football? Probably because he wants to see where other similar prospects get drafted."

As a junior RHP with a fastball topping out at 92mph or so I really don't think he can get much of a read from a draft. As always with high school players, he is either a high-round pick or not. Nothing in the 07 draft will decide whether that is the case.

He won't be able to compare his measurables, etc to other players as he doesn't compare physically and his arm strength is above-average but not spectacular.

Perhaps he has some other solid pitches (I don't know). Although he has good upside with his height, he must have another good pitch in order to be a high round pick out of high school. There are too many guys throwing 90+ in college, junior college, etc (which are safer picks).

Bauserman committed but it was always contigent on his draft position (right?). So there isn't anything stopping him from making a decision.

Maybe Coach Todd will let him play?

[bucknut11]

Originally Posted by Colvinnl

Maybe Coach Todd will let him play?

I'm pretty sure the coaches gave Torrence the OK to play both...

[Colvinnl]

Hopefully he takes the possibility of playing both sports into consideration as OSU is typically one of the top teams above the Mason-Dixon line in baseball.

I am just going off what I've learned from my Grandfather (recently retired major league scout) over the years here so take it for what it's worth.

Without seeing him pitch or knowing about his other pitches I'd say he is the type of guy that would want a year or two of college ball under his belt to improve his draft status. That doesn't mean he might view playing college football as too big of a risk at the same time, but that is my opinion based on what I know.

[jimotis4heisman]

notre dame had a 7 foot 1 all american closer a few years ago. i think he was like 260.

randy johnson is 6'11 240.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

notre dame had a 7 foot 1 all american closer a few years ago. i think he was like 260.

randy johnson is 6'11 240.

Chris Young of the Padres is like 6-10. He was an all-american pitcher and basketball player at Princeton.

I agree with LJB on this one... The football in Kyle's blood will be hard to ignore...

[stowfan]

As long as we're at it let's not forget Randy Johnson