Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:51 am EDT
We've been so enamored throughout the night and past few weeks with the situation of right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg, we almost forgot about the college players that decided to return for another campaign. Well, not really.
We'll have much more on the draft Tuesday, but here's an inside look at some notable college players that are back for another campaign.
Josh Spence (Arizona State): Spence was a third-round selection of the Angels and many sources believed he was a lock to sign early in the summer. However, the Angels apparently low-balled him in one of their first financial offers and never were able to recover. Spence informed coach Pat Murphy a few days ago that his main goal was to get to the big leagues someday, not necessarily get paid today. Spence will enjoy another season in Tempe, Ariz.
James Paxton (Kentucky): Paxton was a first-round supplemental pick of the Blue Jays and given the fact he's a Canadian and was a high-round pick, it was thought for a long time that he was a lock to sign. However, in the past week sources close to the Kentucky program began to feel more confident about his return to Lexington, Ky. Those people got their wish on Monday night. Paxton will help formulate one of the nation's best weekend rotations next spring.
Bryan Morgado (Tennessee): Morgado was a draft-eligible sophomore for the Volunteers this past season, so the White Sox knew they'd have to give him a deal he couldn't refuse. After all, he pretty much had all the leverage. Well, as the deadline struck, it appears Morgado never got the deal he was looking for, thus will return to Tennessee for his junior campaign. Morgado should be one of the nation's best pitchers in 2010.
Ryan Woolley (UAB): Despite not pitching during the '09 season for the Blazers because of NCAA transfer rules, Woolley still was drafted in the sixth round by the Atlanta Braves. I really thought Woolley would sign the dotted line, but he decided to return and play at least a season with coach Brian Shoop and the Blazers.
Craig Fritsch (Baylor): The Bears received some bad news early in the evening when right-handed pitcher Kendal Volz decided to sign with the Red Sox. However, there at least was some positive news when another righty, Fritsch, an eighth-round selection, decided to turn down Detroit to return to BU for another season.
Tyler Lyons (Oklahoma State): The Cowboys were decimated by the draft tonight as pitchers Andy Oliver and Tyler Blandford in addition to high school star Mychal Givens decided to sign pro contracts. Lyons, though, was the exception. He was drafted in the 10th round by the Yankees and didn't sign on Monday. He at least gives the Cowboys a very experienced staff ace in the spring.
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