THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 3, 1996 TAG: 9606030155
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 64 lines
The days of waiting and anticipating are back: the 1996 major league draft is here.
For three days, area athletes will be on pins and needles hoping for the call. And according to area coaches and scouts, a few college players have reason for optimism.
Perhaps the most highly regarded of the group is Old Dominion catcher Matt Quatraro.
The senior has twice tied the school home run record (13); hit more than
Two weeks ago, Quatraro was named third-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball magazine after helping guide the Monarchs (39-17) to their third straight NCAA tournament. But despite the accomplishments, area analysts don't expect Quatraro to be taken in the early rounds, which begin today at 1 p.m.
``As a senior typically, they go later because they have no bargaining power,'' area scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates Bobby McKinney said.
Though the number of rounds each day are not predetermined, the first day generally last between five to 10 rounds.
Two other Monarch seniors - pitcher John O'Reilly and rightfielder Brian Fiumara - are also said to be draft possibilities. Both players, along with Quatraro, were named first-team All-East Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association on Wednesday. O'Reilly finished the season with an 11-2 record and Fiumara hit .364.
In addition to the three seniors, coach Tony Guzzo could lose two future players to the draft. High school seniors Brian Ross from Maine and Chris Mears from Vancouver were listed in Baseball America magazine as draft prospects.
Like their football brethen, two Norfolk State outfielders - Adrian Harris and Omari Venable - could be drafted.
``People have taken a lot of looks at them,'' Spartan coach Marty Miller said.
Venable was named this season's CIAA player of the year. The Danville native hit .411 for Norfolk State (23-10) this season.
Harris, a transfer from Moor Park (CA) College, hit .392. Miller said both players have been looked at because of their offensive abilities, particularly noting their bat speed.
Over at Virginia Wesleyan, the Marlins are uncertain of catch Lawrence `Fella' Dolby's future.
Though the junior hit .391 and threw out 54 percent of attempted base stealers, his offensive numbers were down from his first two years at Maryland. ILLUSTRATION: B\w photos
ODU's Matt Quatraro has set two team HR records.
NSU's Omari Venable hit .411, was CIAA player of year. by CNB