Rays aim to change pick's mind

By JOHN ROMANO and MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 7, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jace Brewer did not think he was ready to play professional baseball, and he wrote every major-league team to tell them as much. Devil Rays scouting director Dan Jennings will travel to Oklahoma today to try to convince Brewer otherwise.

Despite the protestations made by the Baylor sophomore two months ago when he advised every team not to draft him, the Rays used their second pick to take the shortstop in the fifth round.

Now Brewer is rethinking his position and will meet with the Rays today at his parents' home in Washington, Okla.

"I was thinking once the letter went out, no one would even call. But some scouts told us that somebody was going to take a shot at it," Jace's father, A.J., said. "I think maybe he is a better player than dad gave him credit for. I think he's better than he gave himself credit for."

Sophomores at four-year schools normally are not eligible for the draft, but Brewer, who celebrated his 21st birthday Tuesday, is an exception because he is older than the typical sophomore.

Because he has two years of eligibility remaining, Brewer figured he could use an extra year to sharpen his skills. He may have underestimated his talents, however. Some draft analysts suggested he would have been a second- or third-round pick if he had not sent the letter.

The Rays continued a dialogue with Brewer even after receiving his letter and believed strongly enough in his potential to take a gamble, even though they did not have picks in the second through fourth rounds.

"The biggest thing is he is a natural shortstop with that shortstop fluidness," Jennings said. "His run, throw and field tools are on par with the major-league level right now. There's still some strength that is needed, but he has a chance to be an everyday guy in the middle of the diamond in the dirt, and that's something you don't pass up."

The Rays are beginning negotiations with Brewer because first-round pick Rocco Baldelli was still playing in the Rhode Island state tournament and has his high school graduation Friday. Contract talks are expected to begin early next week.

FAMILY MATTER: In his duties as an assistant general manager, Bart Braun spends part of his time evaluating prospects the Rays might want to draft. But he took time out Tuesday to play proud papa as his son, Bart Jr., was drafted in the 32rd round by Boston. "It's very exciting," he said. Bart Jr. is a left-handed pitcher at Vallejo (Calif.) High. Bart Sr. was a third-round pick by Oakland in 1976 and spent seven years pitching in the minors. He didn't make it past Triple A.

HE AIN'T HEAVY: Edgar Gonzalez had to wait a little longer than his brother for a draft call. To be precise, 885 picks longer. Adrian Gonzalez was the No. 1 pick, taken by the Marlins on Monday. Older brother Edgar, a shortstop at San Diego State, was Tampa Bay's pick in the 30th round.

HANGING AROUND: Jamie Shields was one of the draft's top falling stars. Shields, of Valencia, Calif., was one of the top prep pitchers in the nation four months ago. Back injuries, however, wiped out most of his senior season. The Rays picked him in the 16th round.

"He didn't get a chance to throw much this year, but as with Rocco, we had been following this young man for a while," Jennings said. "When he's still sitting there on the board, you have to say, "Hey, hold on a minute. This guy is good.' "

Shields, who has a scholarship offer from Louisiana State, throws in the low 90s with a solid changeup.

WRAPPING IT UP: The Rays took 47 players in the 50-round draft, missing the second, third and fourth rounds as compensation for free-agent signings. They chose 25 pitchers, 10 outfielders, seven infielders and five catchers. Eighteen were high school players.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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