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A high hard one.(minor league pitcher Mark Prior)
Can Southern California pitcher Mark Prior, the likely No. 1 pick in Tuesday's draft, go straight to the majors? Even for him, it won't be as easy as throwing strikes.
On a wall in the family room of Mark Prior's childhood home are framed pictures of his two favorite players--Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens--throwing high heat.
That's something Jerry and Millie Prior have seen a thousand times while watching their son pitch for USC. So when a photographer handed Jerry a picture of Mark in action, Jerry headed to the frame shop and got the photo matted and mounted and etched with a nameplate: "Mark Prior". It looked so major league that his parents hung it on the wall, between Mark's hemes.
When Mark saw it, he wasn't pleased. "Take it down!" he demanded.
"He was madder than hell that I flamed a picture like that of him," Jerry says. "For us, it was parental pride. But it made him very uncomfortable. He just felt it was a little too much."
Too much? How's this for too much? Mark Prior is putting together one of the most dominating seasons in college baseball history: a 13-1 record, a 1.49 ERA and--get this--166 strikeouts but just 17 walks. He is regarded as the top prospect in the major league draft; which begins Tuesday. There's even talk of his going straight from college to the major leagues.
That is too much.
- 2001 AMATEUR DRAFT; SPOTLIGHT: MARK PRIOR; USC standout considered the real...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Neal, La Velle E., III June 3, 2001 700+ words
...Neal III; Staff Writer Mark Prior's control is so good...the strike zone," said Twins general manager Terry...There's one thing about Mark Prior, he throws the ball over...average against. The Twins, owners of the first...
- Cubs' phenom Mark Prior out for rest of season.
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) September 2, 2002 700+ words
Byline: Bill Jauss CHICAGO _ Mark Prior's rookie season is over, and Hee Seop Choi's major-league...arrival poses a problem for Kimm, who says he wants to pursue twin goals of playing veterans who are shooting for statistical milestones...
- Twins should draft Prior while they're contending.(SPORTS)(Patrick Reusse)
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Reusse, Patrick June 3, 2001 700+ words
...in late June with the Twins' short-season club...was pitching for the Twins' other short-season...I drove up from the Twin Cities to see Hugo pitch...of a day off for the Twins and driving to St. Cloud...take Southern Cal's Mark Prior, perhaps the most...
- TWINS: IN THE MINORS; DROUGHT ON THE FARM; A viable feeder system that stocked...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Souhan, Jim August 26, 2009 700+ words
...low budget. The fruits of the Twins' farm system are evident on...of the 2001 draft, and the Twins wisely chose him instead of...pitcher and consensus top pick Mark Prior. Justin Morneau, a Canadian...an MVP award. Sometimes the Twins play three first-round draft...
- Twins might try 3rd option; Club might pass on Prior and Mauer and take...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Neal, La Velle E., III June 5, 2001 700+ words
...Neal III; Staff Writer The Twins' negotiations with their top...considering at a third option. The Twins have struggled to reach agreements...Southern California righthander Mark Prior or Cretin-Derham Hall catcher...are deemed too unsignable, Twins officials say they would be...
- MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT; Twins did not draft best player.(SPORTS)(Dan...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Barreiro, Dan June 6, 2001 700+ words
...Barreiro; Staff Writer The Twins passed on the best player in...Minnesota. No matter how the Twins try to spin it after the fact...otherwise. Will USC pitcher Mark Prior, in fact, turn out to be the...when this process began, the Twins believed Prior was the best...
- Budget limits Twins' choice in draft.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Wittenmyer, Gordon June 4, 2001 700+ words
MINNEAPOLIS _ The Twins know who they want, but they...power-armed college pitcher Mark Prior or the best high school athlete...Paul Pioneer Press that the Twins were to meet with the family...meeting could decide whether the Twins will take Mauer, the Cretin...
- BASEBALL JOURNAL; Twins will be OK no matter what happens; Any moves will still...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Souhan, Jim November 26, 2003 700+ words
...competition for Stewart (if the Twins find a way to clear payroll...team in competition for the Twins' free agents will be the Cubs...money to support Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Sammy Sosa. My guess: The Twins will find a way to keep Guardado...