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.
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