Rams in the Pros - vcuathletics.tv

TAKING IT TO
Along with the rich winning tradition that the Rams boast, VCU has become a
breeding ground for major league talent.
Since 1984, 49 different players have signed contracts to continue their baseball
careers with MLB organizations, including at least one player every year since 1997.
Beginning with James Austin’s debut with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1991
season, nine different Rams have made appearances in “The Big Show”, including
current MLB stars Cla Meredith (San Diego Padres), Sean Marshall (Chicago Cubs)
and Brandon Inge (Detroit).
“When I look back, the three
years at VCU were really the best
times of my life because it helped
me prepare for the big leagues
more than I ever realized, both on
“Going to VCU was the best
decision I ever made. My
experience both on and off the
field help make me not only the
player, but the man
I am today.”
-Cla Meredith, San Diego Padres
and off the field,” Inge said.
Former head man Tony Guzzo,
who took over the program in 1983,
set the foundation for the trek to the
big leagues for some many Rams.
Austin, one of Guzzo’s first recruits,
was the first Ram to ever play at the
highest level when he spent three seasons with the Brewers, picking up six wins in 83
appearances.
The big league trend continued when Jerry
Dipoto stepped on the mound for the Cleveland
Indians in 1993. The Jersey City, N.J. native went on
for an eight-year big league career with three different
teams. Dipoto currently serves as the Director of Scouting and Player Personnel of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
31 of those 49 players who signed professional
contracts were products of The Era of Head Coach Paul
Keyes, which began in 1995.
Two of Keyes’ first two signings brought about huge dividends as Inge and Matt Burch
shared the honor of CAA Player of the Year in 1998.
Burch became the highest draft pick in VCU history that June when the Kansas City
Royals selected him with the 30th overall pick, while Inge was taken just 27 spots after his
teammate by the Tigers.
“The collegiate experience was an unbelievable one,” Burch said. “I was able to mature
both as a man and as a ballplayer. I was fortunate enough to play in a program that helped
to develop me into a first round draft pick.”
Burch spent six seasons in the minor leagues, while Inge rode the fast track to the
pros, making his debut during the 2001 season.
Inge is currently in his ninth season with the Tigers as the Lynchburg, Va. native has
racked up 96 home runs and 410 RBIs during his time in Motown. His outstanding defensive presence at third base helped Detroit make its first appearance in the World Series in over
20 years during the 2006 campaign.
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THE NEXT LEVEL
Jason Dubois was the next star to reach the highest level,
who made his debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and spent just
over one season with the Windy City squad before being traded to
the Cleveland Indians.
The Marshall Twins were the next phenoms to come through
VCU as Brian and Sean dominated Black and Gold opponents and
quickly earned spots as prospects in the Red Sox and Cubs organization, respectively.
Due to injury, Brian had his career sidetracked, but Sean continued his progession and is now a regular in the Cubs rotation. He
has been a part of two postseasons and served in a vital role for the
2008 National League Central Division Champions.
Just a year after the Marshall twins were taken in the draft, sidewinding reliever Cla Meredith began his trek to the big leagues when
he was drafted in the sixth-round by the Boston Red Sox.
It took him just over one year to make his debut in front of the
Fenway faithul, but he was traded during the off-season to the San
Diego Padres.
The Richmond, Va. native blossomed quickly on the West
Coast as he set a team record with a 33 1/3 scoreless inning streak
during his rookie season on his way to posting a miniscule 1.07
ERA and a 5-1 record.
He currently serves as the Padres set-up man and will battle
for the club’s closer role during the 2009 Spring Training session.
“When I look back, the three
years at VCU were really the
best times of my life because it
helped me prepare for the big
leagues more than I ever realized, both and off the field.”
-Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers
RAMS HISTORY IN THE PROS
Donnie Phillips
William Smith
James Austin
Craig Lopez
Chris Pinder
Jeff Zona
Scott Banton
Tim Barker
Jerry Dipoto
Tony Helmick
Danny Flanigan
David Sartain
Chris Vlasis
Jamie Brewington
Mark Strittmatter
Matt Williams
Adam Bryant
Eric Sauve Cordell Farley
Chad Berryman
Matt Burch
Brandon Inge
Cory Whitby
Jake Anthony
Jason Dubois
Detroit Tigers (1984)
New York Yankees (1984)
San Diego Padres (1986)
Baltimore Orioles (1986)
Baltimore Orioles (1987)
Atlanta Braves (1988)
St. Louis Cardinals (1989)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1989)
Cleveland Indians (1989)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1989)
San Francisco Giants (1990)
Minnesota Twins (1991)
St. Louis Cardinals (1991)
San Francisco Giants (1992)
Colorado Rockies (1992)
Cleveland Indians (1992)
Cincinnati Reds (1994)
Texas Rangers (1994)
St. Louis Cardinals (1996)
Anaheim Angels (1998)
Kansas City Royals (1998)
Detroit Tigers (1998)
Boston Red Sox (1998)
Detroit Tigers (1999)
Chicago Cubs (2000)
Josh Arteaga
Marc Fisher
Bo Acors
Nick Jones
Danny Lopaze
Brian Marshall
Sean Marshall
Justin Mattison
Cla Meredith
Justin Orenduff
Matt Predergast
Pete Farina
Alex Gary
Scott Sizemore
Harold Mozingo
Michael Gibbs
Nate Anderson
Sergio Miranda
Luke Pisker
John Leonard
Mick Mattaliano
Jared Bolden
Chris Jackson
Cody Eppley Chicago Cubs (2001)
Chicago Cubs (2001)
Seattle Mariners (2002)
Chicago Cubs (2003)
Chicago Cubs (2003)
Boston Red Sox (2003)
Chicago Cubs (2003)
Florida Marlins (2003)
Boston Red Sox (2004)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2004)
Colorado Rockies (2004)
Chicago Cubs (2005)
Seattle Mariners (2005)
Detroit Tigers (2006)
New York Mets (2006)
Colorado Rockies (2006)
Colorado Rockies (2006)
Chicago White Sox (2007)
Washington Nationals (2007)
Kansas City Royals (2007
Baltimore Orioles (2007)
Texas Rangers (2008)
Houston Astros (2008
Texas Rangers (2008)
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