CWS: Wallace Award Choices
By Jean Neuberger - June 12, 2007
I was given the privilege to cast a ballot in this year's 2007 Brooks Wallace Award. The award, named after the former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach, is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player. With the list trimmed to 10 players, it was my job to select the top three, so here's who I selected.
1) David Price, Vanderbilt
I'm definitely not one to let one bad pitch ruin the tremendous season that David Price had. This is a guy who stepped on the mound and delivered win after win for the Commodores, going 11-0 before NCAA regional play with a 2.71 ERA. His breaking pitches are some of the best in baseball, and there's no doubt that he'll be pitching in the major leagues very soon. Remember the last time Vanderbilt won an SEC title in baseball before this year? David Price was a huge reason for the Commodores winning the SEC crown this year.
2) Brett Wallace, Arizona State
This guy's stats are just incredible. Wallace batted .426, hit 15 homers, was on base 50.5 percent of the time, and had a fielding percentage of .992 for the Sun Devils. Add his incredible .735 slugging percentage, plus nine stolen bases, and this guy had a vote wrapped up. This guy is the star of a team that's been absolutely tearing it up since the start of regionals, and that should say enough about the quality of player Wallace is.
3) Tony Thomas Jr., Florida State
I had mixed feelings on this one. After carefully studying all the candidates and all the factors, it came down to Thomas and Kyle Russell of Texas. Russell was by far the more prolific power hitter, but Thomas had a .442 batting average, compared to just .341 for Russell, and although both teams struggled in regional play, Thomas at least had a couple of strong showings, including a 3-for-5 performance in an elimination game vs. Bethune-Cookman. Russell slumped in the Big 12 tournament, and he slumped even more in regional play. That lackluster finish was enough for me to take Tony Thomas. And, given that .442 average, 49 RBIs, .537 on-base percentage, and 30 stolen bases, I think it's a choice that's easy to defend.
FYI, the other semifinalists were....
Pedro Alvarez, Vanderbilt
Todd Frazier, Rutgers
Matt LaPorta, Florida
Ryan Lavarnway, Yale
Adam Mills, Charlotte
Kyle Russell, Texas
Brandon Waring, Wofford
The three finalists will be announced at the CWS in Omaha, with the winner being announced in Lubbock, Texas on July 3.
Posted by Jean Neuberger at 07:40 PM on June 12, 2007
Comments (1)
Comments
Good selections...I've watched Wallace play all year and he's a stud hitter with a great glove at first.
Just a fyi for the main baseball page...the lead story says asu has won 3 championships...asu has won 5. Go Devils!
Comment by Bryan W. - June 12, 2007 09:35 PM