A day after sticking to the high school ranks, Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets have answered with two college pitchers. After selecting Cory Mazzoni from NC State in the second round, the Mets took RHP Logan Verrett from Baylor.
In 17 games this season (15 starts), Verrett pitched to a 2.93 ERA and a 7-6 record with two complete games. He lead the Bears with 96 strikeouts over 101.1 innings.
After suffering through some consistency issues early on in the season, the Baylor ace eventually found his way and did all he could to try and get his team to the College World Series.
Verrett threw 7.1 innings on Friday to help Baylor take out Cal, but failed when he tried to help close the door on Monday. Coming out of the bullpen on short rest, Verrett surrendered four runs (one earned) including the game-winner on a walk-off single that ended the series and the Bears' season.
His defense may have betrayed Verrett, but he was still throwing gas, according to teammate Joey Hainsfurther.
"He was throwing 94 and threw a 90-miles per hour slider. That’s not because his arm feels good; that’s because he’s digging deep in his heart, doing whatever he could to try to get us a win."
It's hard to believe that someone that brings that kind of heat with so little in the tank will have much trouble adapting to the pro ranks if he decides to forgo his senior season at Baylor.