THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 10, 1995 TAG: 9506100413
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
The casual baseball fan probably did a double-take upon reading that Wilson High pitcher Brian Settle was drafted in the 13th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pro prospects are supposed to be stars. Settle was 1-8 with a 3.96 ERA this spring.
But baseball is different than other sports. The major league draft can last 60 rounds and relies heavily on high school talent. Of 1,707 players taken last year 769, or 45 percent, were picked directly out of high school.
There are no figures on how many of them will make it to the major leagues. But the commissioner's office estimates that 10 percent of all minor leaguers make it to the majors.
That process often takes years and gives a team the time to draft and sign a player like Settle, who oozes with potential but lacks physical maturity and sound mechanics.
``He went pretty much where he should have,'' said Bobby McKinney, the area scout who recommended Settle to the Pirates.
Settle, who won't turn 18 until July 17, received an undisclosed signing bonus along with incentive clauses and money for college from the Pirates.
``The Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays were actively pursuing him,'' McKinney said. ``With a couple of mechanical adjustments, I believe, he'll be able to throw a ball through a wall. But whether he goes anywhere, that's undeterminable with anybody.''
The 13th round has been lucky for a lot of players. Current major leaguers who were drafted in the 13th round include Indians third baseman Jim Thome, Mets outfielder Ryan Thompson, Braves pitcher Mike Stanton and Orioles pitcher Mike Oquist.
With a little luck this spring Settle might have been better recognized as a prospect. But Wilson's porous defense and a lack of run support conspired to ruin his best outings.
He pitched a two-hitter and struck out 13 against Southeastern District co-champion Indian River, but lost, 1-0, on an unearned run.
He gave up three unearned runs in a 3-2 loss to Eastern Region champion Green Run.
``His biggest problem was his supporting cast,'' Wilson coach Joe Ladisic said. ``We started six sophomores or freshmen.''
On a better team Settle would have been a big star, Ladisic said.
He is certainly intimidating.
Settle stands almost 6-foot-5, a physical asset scouts prize highly. His fastball has been clocked at 90 mph.
He also loves to challenge hitters and isn't afraid to pitch inside. Settle hit three Deep Creek batters in the head, knocking out one.
``They should have moved,'' he said.
Longtime area baseball fans might be familiar with the Settle name.
Robert Settle, Brian's father, starred for Wilson in the 1960s. He also signed with the Pirates and reached Triple-A before injuring his shoulder.
``Thirty years ago I graduated from Wilson and got drafted by the Pirates, and now it's happening to my son,'' he said. ``It's almost spooky.''
Robert Settle joined the Marine Corps after baseball and is stationed in New Orleans.
Robert will retire next month and has accepted a teaching job in Charleston, W. Va.
Brian will be at Pirates camp in Bradenton, Fla., by then, concentrating on keeping his arm up as he delivers the ball.
Settle threw sidearm as a junior in Louisiana and is slowly being broken of the habit.
That might have scared off some teams that scouted him this spring, McKinney said. The Braves weren't one of them, inviting Settle to Atlanta for a workout at Fulton County Stadium. He threw eight warmup pitches and then 20 pitches to a batter.
``I was really psyched up,'' he said. ``I approached it like my life was relying on those 20 pitches.
``. . . When I came home I was happy. I felt I'd considerably boosted my ranking with Atlanta.''
Maybe he did, but while the Braves represent strength and glamour, the Pirates represent opportunity. Pittsburgh's lack of proven pitching, compared with Atlanta's solid starting corps, should make for a easier route to the majors.
And if Settle gets there, no one should be surprised next time. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/Staff
Remarkably, both Brian Settle (above) and his father, Robert, played
at Wilson High and were drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
by CNB