Scouts
and coaches often do a tremendous job evaluating talent;
however sometimes they are really, really, really
off the mark. An often cited example of a player's ability
being miscalculated is future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza
who wasn't drafted until the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur
baseball draft. While not quite as magnificent of a forecasting
faux pas, the judging of UTSA outfielder Michael Rockett
was another monsterous blunder. Rockett's only offer out
of high school was to walk on at Temple Junior College after
trying out for the team. Fortunately for Texas San Antonio,
Associate Coach Marshall got a glimpse of Rockett's ability
and offered him a spot on the team before he could rewrite
the TJC Leopards' record book.
Rockett has batted over .325 in each of
his first two seasons and quickly became a fixture in the
UTSA starting lineup. This year his production has exploded,
as the Sugarland, Texas native is getting hits like Google,
batting .376 with 22 doubles, five triples and seven homeruns
for a .644 slugging percentage. He's also added eight stolen
bases to lead the Roadrunners to the top of the SLC standings
and consideration in national polls. Rockett has established
himself as an All American candidate and the player no one
wanted could be the best amateur player in all of Texas.
Despite his busy spring schedule of delivering
clutch game winning hits, Rockett found time to answer some
questions from Ping!Baseball:
PING!: You
had a very good season last year, hitting .325 with eight
homeruns, 52 RBI and seven stolen bases. However you’ve
taken your game up a notch this year, batting near .400
with thirty-four extra base hits, 59 RBI and seven stolen
bases in eight attempts (you’d probably have more
swipes if you didn’t have so many extra base hits).
What have been some of the factors in your boost in plate
productivity this year?
Rockett: I think there
are a few things that have helped me step up my game this
year. I spent the majority of the summer lifting weights
trying to get stronger and making plenty of firewood in
the process, but using a wood bat made me realize how much
easier using a metal bat is. I also made the switch from
a 33 to a 34 which really has helped me to focus on using
my hands.
PING!:
I have an image of you swinging at an intentional
ball pitch like Roy Hobbs did in “The Natural”
because in just over 200 plate appearances you’ve
only walked four times. Have your coaches talked to you
about being more selective at the plate? Although I guess
it's hard to complain when you have a slugging percentage
over .650.
Rockett: The coaches don’t
really seem to mind. (Hitting) Coach (Mike) Clement knows
that I like to swing early in the count and he seems to
be ok with it. I’ve never been the type of guy that
goes to the plate looking for a walk, so I guess they don’t
want to change that.
PING!: You
were recently added to the Dick Howser Trophy Watch List,
one of only two nominees from a team in the state of Texas
to be nominated (Texas A&M’s Dane Carter was the
other). As a Lone Star State native and having played against
a number of teams from Texas, what other players from your
home state do you think should have made the cut?
Rockett: I think there
are a number of guys that could be on that list. With four
teams from the Big 12 and a number of other solid teams
in this state, there could be a plethora of guys to choose
from. I’m just honored to be apart of the list.
PING!: I
understand that you were inexplicitly overlooked coming
out of high school. Did you have many opportunities to play
ball other than at UTSA? If so, why did you choose to become
a Roadrunner?
Rockett: The only offer
I had coming out of high school was with Temple Junior College.
I went down there for a tryout and the coach offered me
a chance to join the team as a walk-on. A couple months
later, (Associate Head) Coach (Jason) Marshall gave me a
call and asked me to be a Roadrunner and I never looked
back.
PING!: UTSA
has made its way into the Ping!Baseball’s top thirty
and receiving consideration in other polls. When the season
started did you think you’d see the Roadrunners mentioned
amongst the likes of the Oregon State Beavers, Arkansas
Razorbacks and Texas Longhorns as the schedule headed towards
its apex?
Rockett: I’ve had
faith in our team all year long. After going through fall
work outs with these guys, I knew we were going to be a
team that could not be overlooked. We have done a good job
of living up to our potential and I have no doubts we will
finish up our season with no regrets and a lot of our goals
accomplished.
PING!: You
guys and the Texas State are at the top of the Southland
Conference’s West Division with only a few weekends
left to play and an impending clash to end the regular season.
Do you consider the Bobcats to be your biggest rival?
Rockett: Absolutely. Anytime
we play the Bobcats, it seems that emotions are running
as high as any game of the season. Getting down to the last
weekend of the season, the series between us seems to always
determine were each of us will end up in postseason play.
Anytime we get to play those guys, we want to show them
and the rest of the Southland Conference that we are the
better team.
PING!: With
the success you’re having, don’t think you should
start sandbagging and loafing on field? Maybe swing at some
pitches in the dirt, run the wrong way around the bases
or let a fly ball hit you in the head. If you don’t
look out you’re gonna get yourself drafted by an MLB
team and miss out on your final season!
Rockett: It is any college
baseball player’s dream to be in a position to get
drafted, but coming down the stretch of the season with
a shot at getting into a regional and maybe further, that
is the last thing on my mind. I’m just happy to be
helping my team in any way I can. Anything that happens
beyond that is a blessing.
PREVIOUS PLAYER SPOTLIGHTS
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