Draft is shaping up well for ship-shape Ricciardi

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 4, 2000

When Joe Ricciardi transferred from South Florida to Saint Leo before the season, the junior hoped to right a wayward baseball career.

Apparently, he did.

Scouts have told Ricciardi to expect to be picked anywhere from the 10th round on during the amateur draft that runs Monday through Wednesday.

"He turned it around and really worked hard, lost weight and got himself in good playing shape," Saint Leo coach Eddie Stabile said. "He began seeing the results from his work ethic."

Ricciardi is one of six players from Saint Leo and one from Pasco-Hernando Community College who will or could be picked in the 50-round draft. "I don't expect to be a super high pick or anything," Ricciardi said. "I'd like to go anywhere between the 10th and 15th rounds."

Ricciardi was 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA for the Lions. His size (6 feet 2, 220 pounds) and 90-mph fastball got the interest of Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Seattle and St. Louis.

"At times he was very dominant," Stabile said. "When he struggled he was kind of up in the zone and flat, but when he was on he was unhittable.

"(The scouts) like him. They said he looked pretty good. He's got a high ceiling."

Saint Leo senior pitchers Pete Maroudis (7-3, 3.90 ERA) and Brian Grassing (4-1, 2.76 ERA) are expected to be picked in the later rounds.

"(Pete) doesn't have overpowering stuff but he really knows how to locate and battle," Stabile said. "He's got a good little slider and change, hits corners, moves (the ball) in and out and throws in the upper 80s." Grassing came to Saint Leo from Sante Fe Community College, where he was a catcher. Stabile converted him to a pitcher before his senior year. He was the Lions' closer this season and went 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA and nine saves.

"He did a heck of a job," Stabile said. "He throws in the upper 80s and low 90s, has got a tight, hard, late-breaking slider and that's what the scouts like."

Three Saint Leo seniors, outfielders Jason Barker and Ryan Picard and second baseman Cayetano Landeros, are hoping for but aren't assured of getting a phone call.

Barker hit .342 with 13 doubles, seven triples and 22 RBI, and Picard hit .339 with 14 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 44 RBI.

"Really, the three pitchers are the only ones that I know will get drafted," Stabile said. "The other three, somebody has to give them a shot."

The lone prospect from Pasco-Hernando Community College is sophomore right-handed pitcher Alan Green, who graduated from Gulf. The 6-0, 165-pound Green was 4-6 with a 5.40 ERA.

"He's my hardest thrower and hit 90 mph," PHCC coach Steve Winterling said. "He's got a very good curveball, but his control and command is not consistent."

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