THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010561
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Old Dominion outfielder Kevin Gibbs could be wearing a new cap before today is through.
Gibbs, a consensus All-American in 1994, is expected to be the first area player selected in the major league draft.
Gibbs, 21, made it clear Wednesday that he's ready to forgo his final year of eligibility at ODU and begin a professional career.
``I've talked to a lot of scouts and pretty much told them, it will be hard for me not to sign and go play this summer,'' Gibbs said.
The draft begins today and runs through Saturday.
Bobby McKinney, a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, said he expects Gibbs will be drafted in the first three rounds. ``He had a tremendous junior year and summer and can run with the best of them,'' McKinney said.
Other players with South Hampton Roads connections who could be drafted, McKinney said, are ODU pitcher/outfielder Maika Symmonds, ODU catcher Matt Quatraro, ODU pitcher Anthony Eannacony, VMI and former Churchland High pitcher Ryan Glynn, Wilson High pitcher Brian Settle, Norfolk State pitcher Anton Brooks, Green Run pitcher Chris Elmore and Indian River pitcher David Bailey.
Gibbs, 21, said he planned to spend today at his parents' home in Davidsonville, Md.
``I'll probably rent a few videos and maybe stay out late so I can sleep late,'' he said. ``If I don't I'll probably be up at 6 a.m. This will pretty much be like Christmas.''
Gibbs was projected as a possible first-round pick after he batted .436 as a sophomore last spring and led Team USA in six offensive categories last summer.
But his average fell to .352 with two home runs and 48 stolen bases this season.
``I don't know what impact that will have,'' he said. ``To move into the first round I think I needed to put up better power numbers. I don't know if I slipped, but the home runs weren't there.''
Gibbs said he has talked to scouts with the San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers in recent weeks.
``A scout from the Giants called Tuesday and wanted to know if there is a certain round after which I would not sign,'' Gibbs said. ``I told him I want to sign. I don't want to play any games.''
A look at the other draft hopefuls:
Ryan Glenn, VMI: A 6-4, 200-pound righthanded pitcher, he was 4-5 with two saves and a 5.61 ERA this season as a junior. But scouts are enthralled by his fluid delivery and sound mechanics. His fastball has been clocked at 97 and this week's edition of Baseball America ranks him the 79th-best prospect in the country. ``I expect to go in the top five rounds,'' Glenn said. ``My signability is good within those rounds.''
Glenn has been contacted by all 28 major league teams and met with 12 of them.
Maika Symmonds, ODU: A senior, he batted .353 with nine triples, 10 home runs and 61 RBIs. But he will probably be drafted as a pitcher. He was 5-3 with 41 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings and pitched a one-hitter with 14 strikeouts against Richmond in the CAA tournament. ``He raised some eyebrows at the CAA,'' McKinney said. ``He has a live, lefthanded arm and I think he can play as an outfielder.''
Matt Quatraro, ODU: The junior catcher was batting .371 when his season ended after 48 games with a separated shoulder. He still managed to tie the school-record for home runs with 13 and finished second in the CAA in RBIs with 62. He removed his sling Wednesday and was given the go-ahead to start rehabilitation.
Anthony Eannacony: A junior righthanded pitcher, he was 8-4 with 3.63 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings. He also walked 53, an increase of 23 over last season in the same number of innings. At 6-3, 220, he has the size scouts look for.
Anton Brooks, Norfolk State: A junior lefthanded pitcher, he was 5-3 with a 2.10 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. His fastball has been clocked in the low 90s. ``People know about him,'' McKinney said.
Chris Elmore, Green Run High: A senior lefthanded pitcher, he is 8-0 with an 0.56 ERA. An honor student, he has signed with North Carolina but has not ruled out the draft. ``It's going to depend on two main elements, money and what round I'm drafted in,'' he said. ``What might be hurting my chances is the scouts might believe college is it for me, but I'm keeping my options open.''
Brian Settle, Wilson High: A 6-5, 190-pound righthanded pitcher, he was only 1-8 this spring but throws in the mid-80s and averaged 1 1/2 strikeouts per inning. ``I expect to get drafted,'' he said, ``but I have no clue what round.''
Among the teams expressing the most interest, he said, are the Marlins, Braves, Red Sox, Angels, Reds, Mets and A's.
College is a possibility, but he hasn't qualified for freshman eligibility. He has talked to Montgomery Junior College and Gulf Coast Junior College.
David Bailey, Indian River High: A righthanded pitcher, he was 7-3 with an ERA under 2.00. ``He's improved a lot and has a chance to get drafted,'' McKinney said. ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP
File photo
ODU outfielder Kevin Gibbs, 21, says he's ready to forgo his final
year of eligibility and begin a pro career.
by CNB