Oregon State Completes Baseball Recruiting
June 29, 1998
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State's 1998 baseball recruiting class includes both Oregon's Class 4A and Class 3A Players of the Year and a pair of players selected in the Major League Baseball draft. The Beavers signed six players this spring to complete their recruiting class, OSU head coach Pat Casey announced Monday.
Among the six spring recruits are outfielder/lefthanded pitcher K.C. Rumrey (Medford, Ore./North Medford HS), who was named the state's Class 4A Player of the Year; lefthanded pitcher Eron Morrow (Tacoma, Wash./Wilson HS), who was drafted in the 20th round by the San Diego Padres; and third baseman Josh Carter (Fallbrook, Calif./Fallbrook HS), who was drafted in the 46th round by the Atlanta Braves. OSU also signed catcher/righthanded pitcher Rich Dorman (Medford, Ore./Chemeketa CC), first baseman Tim Dryden (Roseburg, Ore./Lane CC) and outfielder Rod Gott (Ravensdale, Wash./Green River CC) this spring.
Those signees join a group of five players who signed in the fall, including lefthanded pitcher Jed Mitchell (Philomath, Ore./Philomath HS); who was the state's Class 3A Player of the Year. Casey said the Beavers have also attracted two walkons who could contend for playing time; NCAA rules prohibit listing those players until they begin attending OSU.
"It's a good mix for the returing players we have," Casey said of the recruiting class. "We needed some pitching from the lefthanded side, and we seemed to get that done."
Carter batted .429 for Fallbrook with 8 home runs and 31 runs batted in this spring, setting school records for hits (42) and runs (34). He was first team All-Palomar League and a San Diego County all-star.
"He's a projection guy," Casey said of Carter, who could play third base or shortstop and add some righthanded pitching. "He's 6-foot-3, and when he gains some strength he's going to be a good player. He'll be able to play right away; down the road, we could give him some innings on the mound."
Carter (6-foot-3, 175 lbs.) was also recruited by Southern California and Loyola Marymount, among others.
"I really liked Oregon State's facilities," Carter said. "It's a nice campus, and I really liked the coaches. It looks like I have a chance to start, and they've got a great baseball program."
Dorman batted .359 with 5 homers, 35 RBIs and 11 doubles this spring for Chemeketa, which also sent catcher Ben Bertrand to OSU in 1996. He was second team all-league and was selected to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges All-Star Game.
"He's very solid behind the plate," Casey said of Dorman. "He can come in and immediately give us experience there."
Among the schools recruiting Dorman (6-foot-2, 190 lbs.) were San Diego and Lewis-Clark State. He chose OSU for being close to home and because of its strong baseball program.
Dryden batted .423 with 19 homers and 62 RBIs this spring for Lane. He was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges' Most Valuable Player.
"He was the best hitter in the NWAACC this spring," Casey said. "We plan on him being able to come in and hit in the middle of the lineup."
Dryden (6-foot-1, 205 lbs.) was also recruited by Washington State, Alabama, Nevada and Lewis-Clark State.
"I liked Oregon State's coaching staff," Dryden said. "It's close to home, and I think it's a team definitely on the rise."
Gott batted .363 with 12 homers, 38 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for Green River this spring. He was first team All-Region and second team All-Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
"He'll give us immediate right-handed power," Casey said of Gott. "He can play the outfield, first base or designated hitter and he gives us some power we need from the right side."
Gott (6-foot-1, 220 lbs.) was also recruited by Lewis-Clark State and Lubbock Christian.
"I chose OSU because it's Division I and they have a great program," Gott said. "They're really up-and-coming."
Morrow was 6-2 with a 2.05 earned run average for Wilson this spring and had 99 strikeouts in 74 innings. He was the Narrows League's Most Valuable Player, made the all-state team and was drafted in the 20th round by the San Diego Padres.
"He's a guy we really need to be a good pitcher for us," Casey said of Morrow. "He's a typical high school guy in that he needs to get some strength and experience. He can really help us from the left side."
Morrow (6-foot-0, 185 lbs.) was recruited by Portland in addition to being drafted.
"I talked to some people and heard about the atmosphere and everything down there, that it's well-ortanized and a great baseball school," Morrow said. "It seemed like my kind of baseball."
Signing with the Padres wasn't something that enticed Morrow. "Once Oregon State made me the offer they did, it was an easy decision," Morrow said. "I just felt I'm not ready for a Major League Baseball atmosphere yet - I wanted my education first. It's everybody's dream to play pro ball, but there's always the chance something will happen and then there's no more ball. Plus, I always wanted to play Pacific-10 baseball."
Rumrey batted .487 with five homers and 38 RBIs for North Medford this spring; on the mound, he was 8-3 with a 1.19 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 73 innings. He was the Southern Oregon Conference's Most Valuable Player.
"He's a guy who plays hard and has a great makeup," Casey said of Rumrey. "He can play outfield and pitch; we're looking at him primarily as an outfielder but he could throw some."
Rumrey (5-foot-9, 170 lbs.) selected Oregon State for the Beavers' baseball tradition.
"They're becoming a lot more successful, and the coaching staff really impresses me," Rumrey said.
Oregon State went 35-14-1 and moved into the national polls this past spring and the Beavers have a 73-26-2 mark over the past two seasons. Next spring, OSU will open Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, adding new seating, locker rooms and other facilities to the field the Beavers have called home since starting varsity baseball in 1907.
1998 OREGON STATE BASEBALL RECRUITING CLASS
Spring signings
Josh Carter; third baseman; Fallbrook, Calif. (Fallbrook HS)
Rich Dorman; catcher/righthanded pitcher; Medford, Ore. (North Medford HS/Chemeketa CC)
Tim Dryden; outfielder; Roseburg, Ore. (Roseburg HS/Lane CC)
Rod Gott; outfielder; Ravensdale, Wash. (Tahoma HS/Green River CC)
Eron Morrow; lefthanded pitcher; Tacoma, Wash. (Wilson HS)
K.C. Rumrey; outfielder/lefthanded pitcher; Medford, Ore. (North Medford HS)
Fall signings
Chris Biles; catcher/outfielder; Tigard, Ore. (Tigard HS)
Craig Hays; lefthanded pitcher; Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin HS)
Jeremy Lahmann; outfielder; Eugene, Ore. (North Eugene HS)
Jed Mitchell; lefthanded pitcher; Philomath, Ore. (Philomath HS)
Pat Versluis; righthanded pitcher; Mission Viejo, Calif. (Capistrano Valley HS/Saddleback JC)
