Fresno State Athletics
Baseball Signs Six Players During Early Period
11/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 30, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball program received six letters of intent during the early signing period. The list includes five right-handed pitchers and a catcher. Three of the incoming players will be transferring from junior college.
Assistant Coach Mike Rupcich on the 2003 recruits...
Mitch Arnold, Modesto JC, RHP, 6'6, 230, R/R
Mitch is a big 6'6 right-handed pitcher from Modesto JC that can throw 92-93 mph with an 84 mph slider. He has an ideal power pitchers body and he will only get better with experience. He was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 23rd round last year, so he is still under control with the Angels.
Toby Girazian, Buchanan HS, RHP/UT, 6'2, 195, R/R
2001: 8-1, 1.90 ERA, 59.0 IP, 25 R, 16 ER, 49 H, 16 BB, 34 K
2000: 8-1, 1.97 ERA, 60.1 IP, 32 R, 17 ER, 44 H, 14 BB, 57 K
Toby is a tall, slender right-handed pitcher that can also swing the bat. He comes out of a good program at Buchanan High School. He has a very high ceiling that has a quiet confidence about him. When he fills out, he is going to throw with more velocity, and he has great bat speed and is a very good hitter who is going to develop some big time power. We think we got a legitimate two-way guy in Toby.
Mike Schilling, Sunnyside HS, RHP, 6'3, 187, R/R
Mike is one of the outstanding pitchers in the San Joaquin Valley that we had to get. He is as competitive as his coach, Bobby Jacobsen, who was a former great pitcher here at Fresno State. He is a very knowledgeable baseball player with outstanding make up that has a great future in this game. We see Mike as the type of guy that can be standing on the mound in the National Championship game. He is projected to be a high draft pick in June.
Tim O'Brien, Clovis West HS, C, 6'1, 210, R/R
Tim is a mentally and physically tough catcher from Clovis West High School. Not only is he a very gifted athlete, he has leadership capabilities which is just what we look for out of a catcher. When we recruit a catcher we look for a student of the game, because our catchers call their own games. He has legitimate power from the right side. Tim grew up around Beiden Field, and we see him having a major impact at Fresno State as a freshman.
Ryan Mask, Bakersfield College, RHP, 6'1, 195, R/R
2001: 5-4, 3.90 ERA, 82.0 IP, 52 R, 36 ER, 79 H, 30 BB, 77 K
Ryan is a right-handed pitcher that we recruited out of Garces High School two years ago. He plays for former Bulldog player and coach Tim Painton. When you get a player from Bakersfield College you know he is going to be a well schooled disciplined ballplayer. Ryan throws 88-89 mph, and we project him to compete for a spot in the starting rotation in 2003. He was a 29th round selection by the Texas Rangers this past June.
Cody Smith, Hancock College, RHP/3B, 6'3, 200, R/R
2001: 5-0, 3.69 ERA, 46.0 IP, 22 R, 19 ER, 14 H, 11 BB, 28 K
Cody is right-handed pitcher/third baseman from Hancock College in Santa Maria. He is 6'3 with a long arms that throws 86-87 mph with a good sink on his ball. His father, Bryn, won over 100 games in his 13-year big league career. The good thing about Cody is he can also play third base. We have a good athlete that has a good feel for the game.
