goreds
06-04-2002, 03:44 PM
CINCINNATI -- Continuing their emphasis on acquiring starting pitching, the Cincinnati Reds chose right-hander Chris Gruler of Liberty High School (Brentwood, Calif.) with the third overall selection in Tuesday's First-Year Player Draft.
Gruler, 18, posted a 4-3 record with a 1.49 ERA in 11 games, including seven starts. He struck out 135 batters while walking 26 in 66 innings. The Reds scouted Gruler heavily throughout the high school season, sending as many as nine scouts to one of his recent appearances.
Gruler is the third high school pitcher the Reds have selected first in the past four years, joining left-handers Ty Howington (1999) and Jeremy Sowers (2001). This also marks the fifth consecutive year Cincinnati has dipped into the high-school ranks for its No. 1 pick, starting with 1998 (outfielder Austin Kearns) and including 2000 (infielder David Espinosa).
The Reds were said to be considering using their No. 1 pick on left-hander Scott Kazmir from Cypress Falls (Texas) High School, who impressed observers in a workout Sunday at Cinergy Field. But Gruler also wowed club officials in a similar workout last week. Among the witnesses was Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, now a club special consultant, who was quoted in a Reds press release as saying he thought Gruler had a better breaking ball and change-up than Tom Seaver.
"Our organization felt he was one of the premier pitchers in the draft," Reds scouting director Kasey McKeon said. "He has three above-average pitches (fastball, curveball, change-up) and exceptional makeup. That combination was very enticing for us."
Said General Manager Jim Bowden, "The organization's philosophy is to take the best player with the highest ceiling. We feel Chris Gruler is the best player. We think he has a chance to be a number one starter in the big leagues."
Gruler became Cincinnati's highest draft selection since shortstop Kurt Stillwell was taken with the second overall pick in 1983.
Gruler, 18, posted a 4-3 record with a 1.49 ERA in 11 games, including seven starts. He struck out 135 batters while walking 26 in 66 innings. The Reds scouted Gruler heavily throughout the high school season, sending as many as nine scouts to one of his recent appearances.
Gruler is the third high school pitcher the Reds have selected first in the past four years, joining left-handers Ty Howington (1999) and Jeremy Sowers (2001). This also marks the fifth consecutive year Cincinnati has dipped into the high-school ranks for its No. 1 pick, starting with 1998 (outfielder Austin Kearns) and including 2000 (infielder David Espinosa).
The Reds were said to be considering using their No. 1 pick on left-hander Scott Kazmir from Cypress Falls (Texas) High School, who impressed observers in a workout Sunday at Cinergy Field. But Gruler also wowed club officials in a similar workout last week. Among the witnesses was Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, now a club special consultant, who was quoted in a Reds press release as saying he thought Gruler had a better breaking ball and change-up than Tom Seaver.
"Our organization felt he was one of the premier pitchers in the draft," Reds scouting director Kasey McKeon said. "He has three above-average pitches (fastball, curveball, change-up) and exceptional makeup. That combination was very enticing for us."
Said General Manager Jim Bowden, "The organization's philosophy is to take the best player with the highest ceiling. We feel Chris Gruler is the best player. We think he has a chance to be a number one starter in the big leagues."
Gruler became Cincinnati's highest draft selection since shortstop Kurt Stillwell was taken with the second overall pick in 1983.