Berger A Big Pick, And He Is Still Growing
- Jun 6, 2001
- 2 min read
Berger A Big Pick, And He Is Still Growing
June 6, 2001|By Mike Berardino Staff Writer
Garrett Berger was in the third grade when his eldest sister gave him the nickname "Chunk," after the overweight character in the long-forgotten Steven Spielberg movie The Goonies. The name has stuck ever since.
"It's tough love in my family," Berger joked Tuesday.
The Marlins prefer to look at the 245-pound Berger, their second-round pick in this year's amateurbaseball draft, as a young Alex Fernandez. They like the right-hander's 94-mph fastball, 6-foot-3 frame, smooth delivery, durability and mound presence.
"I don't know if I'm as big as Alex Fernandez," said the 18-year old from Carmel (Ind.) High School in suburban Indianapolis. "He's a great power pitcher, though."
The Marlins also like the fact Berger, a University of Kentucky signee, appears ready to begin hisprofessional baseball career. Don Mitchell, who is advising Berger's family, made it clear a long holdout wouldn't be in anyone's best interest.
"I don't foresee any problems in [Berger] signing with the Marlins," said Mitchell, formerly the Diamondbacks scouting director. "You're talking about a kid who really has a lot of interest in pro ball. ... I don't think the Marlins are going to come in and try to undercut him, from the way they've done theirbusiness in the past. He can't wait to see what happens and get this process done."
Marlins scouting director Al Avila made no attempt to hide the club's thinking after completing the first 20 rounds.
"Signability was a factor in a lot of these picks," Avila said. "These are guys that want to play baseball."
After spending a combined $12.3 million on their top four picks the past two years, the Marlins set themselves up for a relatively calm summer of negotiation. Left without a first-rounder for the first time in club history after signing free agent Charles Johnson, the Marlins believe they won't have to exceed six figures to sign any of this year's picks.
Last week the Marlins signed junior college right-hander Jon Asahina, a draft-and-follow pick from 2000, for a little more than $500,000.
Berger, the 60th overall pick, was rated the 56th-best prospect in the draft by Baseball America. He counts Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Erik Sabel and former Texas Rangers pitching coach Tom House among his instructors.
Berger spent his freshman year as a catcher before a seven-inch growth spurt moved him to the mound. He increased his profile at last summer's Area Code Games in Southern California and was an alternate for Team USA.
Both his older sisters play softball at the University of Florida. Katy is a right fielder, Breanne a catcher.
"I just started growing into my body the last couple of years," Berger said. "My fastball gained velocity. I guess you could say I'm a late bloomer. I don't think I'm done either. Maybe I'll be a real late bloomer."
Berger went 6-0 with a 1.26 ERA in just eight games for Carmel High this season. He struck out 79 in 50innings.
Area scout Brad Del Barba recommended Berger, who played defensive line on the Carmelfootball team through his junior year. Crosschecker David Chadd saw him pitch twice in person as well.
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