A couple UCR players were ranked as top 10 prospects in their respective summer leagues by Baseball America. Rusty McNamara was also named Manager of the Year
in the Northwoods League if you haven't checked out the UCR web site.
Northwoods League
1. Rob Brantly, c, La Crosse (So., UC Riverside)
Widely regarded as one of the top recruits in Southern California last year, Brantly had a solid freshman season at UCR (hitting .316/.344/.454) before exploding in the NWL. He led the league in batting (.346), ranked third in on-base percentage (.411) and second in slugging (.516), while compiling six homers and 34 RBIs. He showed off his mature offensive approach and ability to make consistent contact by drawing 21 walks and striking out just 11 times, the fewest of any NWL qualifier. Brantly's smooth lefthanded swing creates good backspin, and he projects to add more power as he fills out his wiry 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Behind the plate, he's a decent receiver and blocker with some arm strength, though his defense lags a bit behind his bat. He also earns plaudits for his ability to handle a pitching staff. Brantly should garner plenty of interest as a draft-eligible sophomore next spring, but he could be a premium pick as a junior in 2011.
West Coast League
2. Matt Andriese, rhp, Corvallis, (So., UC Riverside)
(also named West Coast Pitcher of the Year)
Andriese came to the loaded Corvallis team after going 5-4, 3.93 with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks over 66 innings as a freshman at UC Riverside. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound righthander carved up the WCL, going 5-0 with a league-leading 0.78 ERA. He struck out 40 and walked just six in 46 innings. Andriese sat at 88-93 mph with his fastball and also mixed in a good splitter and a quality slider. He keeps everything down in the zone, and just two of his 31 hits allowed went for extra bases. Andriese has a good mound presence, and hitters rarely looked comfortable against him this summer.
Northwoods League
1. Rob Brantly, c, La Crosse (So., UC Riverside)
Widely regarded as one of the top recruits in Southern California last year, Brantly had a solid freshman season at UCR (hitting .316/.344/.454) before exploding in the NWL. He led the league in batting (.346), ranked third in on-base percentage (.411) and second in slugging (.516), while compiling six homers and 34 RBIs. He showed off his mature offensive approach and ability to make consistent contact by drawing 21 walks and striking out just 11 times, the fewest of any NWL qualifier. Brantly's smooth lefthanded swing creates good backspin, and he projects to add more power as he fills out his wiry 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Behind the plate, he's a decent receiver and blocker with some arm strength, though his defense lags a bit behind his bat. He also earns plaudits for his ability to handle a pitching staff. Brantly should garner plenty of interest as a draft-eligible sophomore next spring, but he could be a premium pick as a junior in 2011.
West Coast League
2. Matt Andriese, rhp, Corvallis, (So., UC Riverside)
(also named West Coast Pitcher of the Year)
Andriese came to the loaded Corvallis team after going 5-4, 3.93 with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks over 66 innings as a freshman at UC Riverside. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound righthander carved up the WCL, going 5-0 with a league-leading 0.78 ERA. He struck out 40 and walked just six in 46 innings. Andriese sat at 88-93 mph with his fastball and also mixed in a good splitter and a quality slider. He keeps everything down in the zone, and just two of his 31 hits allowed went for extra bases. Andriese has a good mound presence, and hitters rarely looked comfortable against him this summer.
